"The best way to begin is to say: Balthus is a painter of whom nothing is known. And now let us have a look at his paintings"

This quote by Balthus, a distinguished 20th-century painter, reflects an unique technique to art gratitude. When he states, "Balthus is a painter of whom nothing is known", Balthus challenges the standard concept that comprehending an artist's background and personal history is necessary to completely valuing their work. By emphasizing that "absolutely nothing is understood", he recommends that viewers need to approach his paintings without presumptions or biases formed by his biography.

The quote implies that art should be experienced directly and viscerally, welcoming audiences to form their own analyses and emotional responses. By saying, "And now let us take a look at his paintings", Balthus reroutes the focus to the art itself, recommending that the paintings can speak on their own, independent of the artist's identity or intention. This method motivates a more individual and subjective engagement with the artwork, where private understanding and interpretation are critical.

Balthus might also be highlighting the universal and timeless quality of art. By distancing the paintings from his individual story, he underscores the idea that art transcends the particularities of the artist's life, grabbing wider, perhaps even ineffable truths. This can be seen as an invite for the audience to find what the paintings evoke in them, drawing them into a dialogue with the art rather than with the artist.

Moreover, by dismissing the need for background details, Balthus subtly critiques the art market's regular emphasis on the sensationalism of the artist's persona. His declaration recommends a purist view, where the focus should stay on the art itself rather than the cult of personality that frequently surrounds artists.

In general, this quote can be viewed as both an invite and a justification, advising audiences to immerse themselves in the visual and emotional qualities of his paintings, devoid of the distractions of external stories or interpretations enforced by others.