Two Arabs 

James Ensor’s drawing, "Two Arabs" is made using graphite on paper, a humble medium for a quick study. The artist uses the pencil not for a highly finished result, but for capturing fleeting impressions. The paper itself is a common material, most likely mass-produced, indicative of the shift towards accessible art supplies during Ensor's time. The visible strokes reveal the artist’s process: rapid, confident lines define the figures, with smudging and hatching adding depth and shadow. This immediacy suggests the drawing was made in situ, perhaps in a bustling marketplace or during a chance encounter. Ensor’s choice of subject, figures from a non-Western culture, raises questions about Orientalism and representation. The drawing captures the texture and weight of the subjects' clothing, hinting at the social and cultural context of the figures portrayed. Ultimately, this work reminds us that even the simplest materials can convey profound meaning, challenging the traditional hierarchy between high art and everyday craft.