Grimacet, Craco-Cigaret 1929

Editor: Here we have James Ensor's 1929 drawing, "Grimacet, Craco-Cigaret," created with colored pencil. It looks like a group of rather grumpy, fantastical figures. The whole thing feels satirical. What do you see in it? Curator: Oh, it’s pure Ensor! To me, it’s a visual feast of grotesque beauty. It sings a song of social critique. It’s got this raw energy, like a carnival gone slightly mad, don’t you think? Editor: Definitely a little mad! It’s hard to pinpoint exactly *what* they are; their faces are almost mask-like. Curator: Masks indeed! And Ensor was obsessed. I see them here as a way to reveal the true faces of the bourgeoisie… hidden under layers of costume and mannerism, right? Exposing the grimace, the true 'face' behind society’s polite smile! Editor: I guess it *is* pretty savage when you look closer! The one with the tongue sticking out, particularly… almost mocking! Curator: Precisely. But it is not merely mockery. Think about expressionism and its obsession with the grotesque! Ensor's unique take offers a raw depiction of inner turmoil. How does that make you feel when considering that this was crafted in the 1920s? Editor: Kind of unsettling but captivating. It's fascinating how something so visually strange can have such a pointed message. Curator: Art can surprise us like that – a bit like finding a potent potion in a peculiar bottle! It reflects the inner chaos of Ensor's world. I wonder what he'd make of *our* grimaces today? Editor: Food for thought. I’ll never look at a polite smile the same way again!