Balthus And When A Street Scene Is Repeated

Either of these paintings, in isolation, is what it is. But when combined, the two paintings carry a message that isn't there in the isolated states. The message is in the form of a question - what if a street scene, years later, is exactly repeated right down to the detail? The same figures (albeit a little older) are crossing the street at the exact same spot; the objects they carry are the same; the same shop-doors are closed or open just as they were; and even the play of light is identical? Balthus in these two paintings (together) hints at this question. What if, or to put it more concretely - would anything happen if this admittedly unlikely coincidence were to occur?

Balthus paints a later coincidental scene that is recognizable alongside the original yet is a long way off being identical. The strange girl with racket is missing for a start. And there is a reason for this. Balthus knows exactly what is going to happen should the perfect street-scene coincidence ever occur (which thankfully it never will). Balthus knows that if it ever did, the hum of the universe would fall silent and like an enormous Victorian engine that has had its power shut off, the universe would run under its own momentum for some short moments before coming to a stop with a metallic groan. Anyway you knew that already didn't you.