First Steps 1880 - 1885

Curator: This drawing is called "First Steps" by James Ensor, created between 1880 and 1885 using pencil. It’s a collection of figurative sketches, and Ensor is well-known for his avant-garde approach, often addressing social and political themes through a very particular lens. Editor: My first impression is one of vulnerability. There’s a tentative, almost clumsy, energy to the figures depicted. The pencil strokes feel searching, as if Ensor is trying to capture a fleeting moment of fragility, like an imperfect memory. Curator: It’s interesting you say vulnerability. In Belgium during the late 19th century, a huge social change was afoot, and childhood became newly constructed, focusing on vulnerability and family support, where the child was the centerpiece. Here, with "First Steps", there is certainly the notion of observing an early step in life through the eye of innocence, maybe even from a slightly distorted perspective. Editor: Precisely. Look at the downward cast of the figures in the sketch; their stooping creates a sense of guarded curiosity. The rough lines surrounding the children hint at an unstable world, perhaps a visual metaphor for the unpredictable nature of early life, the almost threatening social norms, and a world loaded with an obscure symbolism. Curator: Yes, these sketchy lines can create an unfinished aspect, leaving room for interpretation and reflection, typical of Ensor's work. He seemed to consistently push the boundaries of conventional art, mirroring the socio-political uncertainties of his time. It also feels relevant that the child is rendered without an immediate, supporting figure - it's alone on the page. Editor: The ambiguity of the environment actually emphasizes the power of "First Steps" as a milestone. The visual tension emphasizes the symbolic struggle. What could feel simpler is actually complicated, an experience most can relate to and a reminder of the visual storytelling imbedded in such an early depiction of Impressionism. Curator: An interesting reflection on both artistic expression and societal values, wouldn't you agree? Editor: I do agree, an initial interpretation reveals layers worth uncovering.