Cats in Art: Drawing Room (Balthus): 2 Versions

From my continuing weekly Sunday series of cats in art. I am using some ideas from the coffee table book, The Cat in Art, by Stefano Zuffi.  This is the 3rd of a series focusing on the art of Balthazar Klossowski de Rola--AKA Balthus.

Image credit WikiArt.  Drawing Room, 1942, Balthazar Klossowski de Rola--AKA Balthus, 45" x 58", held by Museum of Modern Art, New York.

This strange painting show two girls: one relaxing, bored, or simply asleep, while the other is reading on the floor on her hands and knees.  And of course a white cat...sitting, but with its eyes closed in a dreamy-looking state.

And now note Balthus' 1943 painting, same title, same dimensions, but without the kitty (plus a couple of other minor differences).  Just not nearly as interesting:

Image credit WikiArt.  Drawing Room, 1943, Balthazar Klossowski de Rola--AKA Balthus, 45" x 58", held by Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, MN.