Pair 

James Ensor rendered this sketch of a couple using pencil and watercolor on paper. The choice of these materials is significant. Pencil, a humble material, allows for quick, spontaneous marks, capturing fleeting moments. The addition of watercolor brings a delicate, almost ghostly quality, softening the harshness of the pencil lines. Ensor’s technique is loose and expressive. The visible strokes and unfinished areas reveal the process of creation, emphasizing the artist's hand. The lack of detail invites us to contemplate the relationship between the figures, their social context, and the underlying emotions. This combination of accessible materials and gestural application defies academic conventions, positioning Ensor as a forerunner to later avant-garde movements. It reminds us that the value of art lies not only in its subject matter but also in the innovative use of materials and the artist's unique vision.