Fantastische muzikanten 1888

James Ensor made this print, "Fantastische Muzikanten," using etching, a printmaking technique that has deep roots in the history of craft and industrial production. To create this work, Ensor would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratched an image into it with a sharp needle. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. This process was repeated to achieve different levels of darkness. The plate was then inked and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Ensor's loose, scratchy lines give this print a raw, almost frenetic energy. The distortions of the figures, with their exaggerated features, add to the chaotic feel. His approach, however, is far from unskilled. The amount of work involved in creating such a complex plate is significant, and speaks to the traditions that can easily be overlooked when considering the finished artwork. Ultimately, understanding the labor and technical skill involved in making a print like this helps us see it not just as a picture, but as an object with its own history of craft and production.