24 Oct-24 Jan. A major exhibition dedicated to Balthasar Klossowski de Role, better known as Balthus (1908–2001), on the 15th anniversary of the artist’s death, takes place at the Scuderie del Quirinale and French Academy at Villa Medici, Rome, where he was the director from 1964-1979.

Balthus is described by the Scuderie as one of the “most original and enigmatic masters of the 20th century”. The joint exhibition features around 200 pieces, including paintings, drawings and photographs between both venues, with the Scuderie presenting a complete retrospective built around his bestknown masterpieces, and Villa Medici examining the working methods and creative processes employed by the artist in his Roman works.

During his long tenure at the French Academy Balthus launched an extensive restoration programme of the villa and its historic gardens, which will be accessible to the visitors of the exhibition.

After Rome the exhibition travels to the Kunstforum Wien in Vienna next year.