A Gust of Wind at the Edge of the Forest (Coup de vent a la lisiere) 1888

James Ensor created this etching, A Gust of Wind at the Edge of the Forest, using metal plates and acid to bring us this scene. The image teeters between realism and something more evocative, the result of his etching technique. Ensor carefully manipulated the metal plate, incising lines that capture the movement of wind through the trees and across the landscape. This intaglio printing process, a skilled tradition that required precision and control, allowed Ensor to create a rich tonal range. Look at the contrast between the dark foreground and the lighter sky, achieved by varying the depth and density of the etched lines. The amount of work that went into this image is quite something. The controlled yet chaotic lines mirror the unpredictable force of nature. Ensor engages with a history of creative practices, and invites us to consider the labor and skill involved in transforming metal into art. In the end, it is a reminder that every artwork is a product of material transformation.