Vuurwerkboeket 1929

James Ensor made this drawing, Vuurwerkboeket, with colored pencils, and you can see his hand in it, I think. It's all about the artist's mark, the process of drawing. Looking at this figure, you can see the red, yellow and blue lines are layered to give the impression of color and form, but the paper is left bare, so that the drawing remains ethereal. The colored pencil has a wonderful texture; look at the bottom of the dress; you can really see the marks, like the fan of a peacock's tail. In the figure’s face there is a gentle expression; a quiet optimism, like a silent movie star. And then, the artist has signed it! A reminder that the artist leaves his mark upon the world. Vuurwerkboeket reminds me of the costume designs of Oskar Schlemmer, perhaps there was an exchange of ideas? But ultimately, the meaning of this piece is open to interpretation. It leaves much to the imagination.