Painting is a source of endless pleasure, but also of great anguish.

I always feel the desire to look for the extraordinary in ordinary things; to suggest, not to impose, to leave always a slight touch of mystery in my paintings.

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 the paintings'.

I had only planned to strike the gong violently in order to somehow shake people up and make them more aware. I think I succeeded.

The craft of painting has virtually disappeared. There is hardly anyone left who really possesses it. For evidence one has only to look at the painters of this century.

Painting is a language which cannot be replaced by another language. I don't know what to say about what I paint, really.

I refuse to confide and don't like it when people write about art.