James Ensor: Scenes from the Life of Christ

James Ensor created a series of 32 colored pencil drawings titled "Scènes de la vie du Christ" in 1912–1913. The drawings depict different episodes from the lives of Jesus and the Virgin Mary and combine the sublime and the grotesque in an unsurpassed manner. The series was made into lithographs and published in 1929 by Galerie Georges Giroux in Brussels. The drawings are considered a link between Ensor's early and later oeuvre and pay close attention to the figure of Christ, which occupied a central position in his work from 1885 onward.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 160 pages
\n Publication date: 28 April 2021
\n Publisher: BAI NV
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In the span of 1912 to 1913, James Ensor embarked on a remarkable artistic journey, creating a series of 32 captivating colored pencil drawings titled "Scènes de la vie du Christ" [Scenes from the life of Christ]. These drawings, each measuring approximately 15 by 21 cm, vividly depict various episodes from the lives of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Ensor's exceptional talent allowed him to seamlessly blend the sublime and the grotesque, creating a truly unique and unparalleled artistic expression. Within this series, Ensor showcased a range of compositions, some adhering to conventional norms, while others exuded the distinctively Ensorian style, and even incorporated moments of humor. Among the remarkable works is a drawing that portrays Ensor himself as Christ, confronted by a group of twelve Belgian art critics who have gathered before him. In 1929, these drawings underwent a transformation when they were lithographed and published as an album by Galerie Georges Giroux in Brussels. These lithographs serve as a vital link between Ensor's early and later artistic endeavors, showcasing his evolving artistic vision. The series also incorporates a diverse array of motifs that Ensor had previously explored in his oil paintings. Furthermore, Xavier Tricot, the author of the work, pays meticulous attention to the figure of Christ in James Ensor's oeuvre. From the beginning of his artistic career in 1885 onward, the figure of Christ held a central position in Ensor's artistic expression. In certain of his works, Ensor identified himself with the Messiah, imbuing his creations with a profound spiritual and emotional resonance.

\n Weight: 1050g\n
Dimension: 217 x 305 x 20 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9789053254745\n \n