The Flight into Egypt 1921

James Ensor made 'The Flight into Egypt' with crayons, which you might associate more with childhood than high art. Ensor's choice of such a simple medium is crucial. Crayons are immediate and accessible, allowing for quick and direct expression. Look at the texture he's achieved, the layering of colors, and the visible strokes that give the piece a vibrant, almost restless energy. There's a raw, almost crude quality here, far from the polished finish we often expect in fine art. But that's precisely the point. Ensor was interested in challenging conventions, and using ordinary materials like crayons allowed him to do just that. This aesthetic connects with wider issues of class, the democratisation of art, and the rejection of elitist notions about what constitutes 'proper' art materials. Ensor elevated the everyday, reminding us that profound statements can be made with the simplest of means. It's a powerful statement about the value of direct expression, and the blurring of boundaries between high art and the art of the streets.