De knaap 1880

"De knaap" (The Boy) is a charcoal drawing by Belgian artist James Ensor, created in 1880. Ensor is known for his use of dark humor and grotesque imagery, and this drawing, while seemingly simple, hints at this style. The figure is rendered with minimal detail, his face obscured by shadow, giving the piece an air of mystery. The loose, gestural lines of the drawing evoke a sense of unease, suggesting a psychological depth beyond the simple subject matter. This drawing is characteristic of Ensor's early works, which often focused on everyday life and the mundane, but with a subtle sense of disquiet.