Happy Birthday Balthus

My friend Peter Gillespie tells me that the gallery of La Fondation Ecureuil (Marseille) has a unique retrospective for the 100th anniversary of the birth of the French modern painter Balthus, running until April 2nd. Peter says: “The artist’s fame is largely built around his star status as the son of Polish émigré intelligentsia, who were major players in the Surrealist social scene in Paris in the '20s and '30s, and his limited production--approximately 300 works--of carefully composed paintings. While the exhibit is not a 'major' one, it’s an easy add-on if you’re in Marseille.” Espace Ecureuil, #26 rue Montgrand, 6ème arrondissement, Marseille. Guided tours available Monday and Wednesday afternoons, or by pre-arrangement. For info: www.fondation-ecureuil.fr, 04-91-57-26-49. (Pictured: La Patience, 1943.)