"I will always find even the worst paintings that attempt some kind of representation better than the best invented paintings"

This quote by Balthus talks to the significance of representation in art. He is recommending that even the worst paintings that attempt to represent something are much better than the best developed paintings. This is because representation is a key element of art, and it is what allows viewers to connect with the artwork. Representation can be utilized to convey a message, evoke feeling, or narrate. It is this connection in between the artwork and the viewer that makes art so effective. Balthus is highlighting the value of representation in art, and how it can be utilized to create significant artworks. He is recommending that even the worst paintings that attempt to represent something are much better than the best invented paintings, due to the fact that representation is what enables viewers to get in touch with the artwork.