The Ascension 1921

James Ensor made this drawing, ‘The Ascension,’ with crayon and pencil. The parallel lines of light shooting up behind the figure suggest both a sense of upward movement and, oddly, a kind of enclosure. The colors are muted, earthy, and feel unstable. It’s like everything could dissolve at any moment. The drawing is full of frantic scribbles and gestures. Look at those mad little figures down below, all twisted and contorted! That raw, expressive mark-making—it’s like Ensor is channeling the energy of a kid with a box of crayons, but with the intensity of someone wrestling with big, existential questions. You can almost feel the pressure of his hand on the paper. Think of someone like Guston who came later, or maybe even Goya. They all knew how to get down and dirty with their materials while grappling with the sublime. Art isn't about answers, it’s more about the conversation.