Mery Laurnet with Pug 

James Ensor sketched Mery Laurnet with pug using graphite on paper. Ensor was Belgian, and like many artists of his time, he took portrait commissions in order to make a living. What makes this image unique is its unflinching lack of idealization. In the late 19th century, the traditional role of portraiture as an emblem of social status was being undermined by photography. The art market was beginning to cater to middle-class tastes, and artists were increasingly expected to show their individual flair. Rather than flattering his sitter with an airbrushed likeness, Ensor's sketch emphasizes the immediacy of the encounter between artist and model. If we want to understand more about this drawing, we might look at Ensor’s other work, read his letters, and consider reviews of his exhibitions to gain greater insight into the artistic culture of his time. The meaning of art always depends on its social and institutional context.