The French artist Balthus, considered one of the finest realist painters of the 20th century, has died at his home in Switzerland.
Balthus, whose real name was Balthazar Klossowski de Rola, was 92. French radio said he had been ill for some time but did not give the exact cause of death.
Unlike most of his famous contemporaries, Balthus remained faithful to figurative art and is renowned for his delicate depictions of people and animals. His later works showed adolescent girls absorbed in romantic dreams.
He was one of only a handful of living artists ever to see his works go on show in Paris's prestigious Louvre museum.
French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin both said they were deeply moved by news of the painter's death.
France has lost an artist who left a deep mark on contemporary art, Jospin said in a statement.
An artist of exceptional talent both in drawing and painting, Balthus gave himself entirely
to his art which he wanted to make timeless, Chirac wrote.
Balthus was married to a Japanese national, Setsuko. The pair had lived in Switzerland since the 1970s.