James Ensor
1860 - 1949
Etude de personnages. 1880/1883.
Pencil drawing.
Rigned in center right. On light wove paper (sheet from a sketchbook). 22.3 x 17 cm (8.7 x 6.6 in), size of sheet. [EH].

• From the legendary private collection of Mira Jacob, who ran the Parisian gallery “Bateau-Lavoir.”
• James Ensor, the “painter of masks,” is considered a precursor of Surrealism.
• From his studio in the attic in Ostend, he sketched people on the street.
• His drawings are characterized by typically fluid lines and striking chiaroscuro.

We are grateful to Dr. Herwig Todts, honorary curator at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, for his kind expert advice.

PROVENANCE: Private collection Mira Jacob (until 2004 Sotheby's).
Galerie Fred Jahn, Munich.
Private collection Günther Förg (acquired from the above in 2005).

LITERATURE: Mira Jacob Collection - Galerie Le Bateau-Lavoir. Drouot-Montaigne, Paris Bailly Pommery-Voutier-Sotheby's, September 23, 2004, lot 41, ill. p. 64.

In a condition consistent with its age. The sheet from a sketchbook has irregularities and several small tears (up to 40 mm) at the edges, which are backed on the reverse side and partly show through to the front. The sheet is slightly browned at the edges. The lower left corner of the sheet has a small crease.
For information concerning the condition, please view the high resolution image / backside image.