Brutonne 1929

James Ensor made this drawing of "Brutonne" with colored pencil on paper, and what strikes me is how economical his lines are. It's like he's sketching out an idea, thinking on paper. There's this wonderful mix of freedom and control. Look how he uses the red and blue to give volume and texture to the costume. The frills around the skirt are almost scribbled, but they perfectly convey the fluffiness of the fabric. I love the way he leaves the center of the dress almost blank, letting the paper breathe. Then, there’s that cane – a simple line, but it gives the figure such presence. It's all about the process of figuring something out, leaving traces of the thought behind. Ensor’s interest in theater and costume design reminds me of Picasso's work for the Ballets Russes, where the sketch becomes a vital part of the performance itself. It shows how art is always a conversation, with artists borrowing and riffing off each other’s ideas across time. It’s this ambiguity that makes art so engaging, isn’t it?