Monday, February 5, 2024

JAMES ENSOR. MAESTRO

2024 is the year of Ensor.  Bozar  will spend the year commemorating the 75th anniversary of the death of famous Belgian artist James Ensor. He is much more than the painter of masks and skeletons. He was not only a gifted writer, but also a great music lover and composer. Therefore, Bozar will be paying tribute to the artist with an exhibition highlighting all his facets in an anthology of some 100 works. You will discover his varied oeuvre, from his youthful works to his last creations. Particular attention will be paid to lesser-known works, his print graphics, and his musical compositions such as La Gamme d’amour. Some of these works have never been displayed previously but can now reach a broader audience, courtesy of the collaboration with various significant private collectors.

Curator: Xavier Tricot

Bozar presents over 150 pieces, including about 30 oil paintings, 80 works on paper (mainly drawings); 40 documents (prints, photographs, manuscripts and handwritten scores, film clips, sound fragments and 1 tapestry (Christ's Entry into Brussels by Gibau).

In 1929, the largest Ensor exhibition ever opened its doors at the Centre for Fine Arts of Brussels.
Visitors to James Ensor. Maestro will discover archival footage from this remarkable retrospective and can also listen to an audio recording of Ensor's speech.




A group of people standing together

Description automatically generated

James Ensor

Meneer en mevrouw Rousseau in gesprek met Sophie Yoteko

Monsieur et madame Rousseau parlant avec Sophie Yoteko

Mr and Mrs Rousseau Speaking with Sophie Yoteko

1892

Olieverf op paneel / huile sur panneau / oil on panel

Privéverzameling / collection privée / private collection


A drawing of skeletons playing pool

Description automatically generated


James Ensor 

Biljartspelende geraamten

Squelettes jouant au billard

Skeletons Playing Billiards

1903

Oostindische inkt, witte gouache en potlood op papier / encre de Chine, gouache blanche et crayon sur papier / Indian ink, white gouache and pencil on paper

Verzameling / collection Alychlo/Marc Coucke, België


A painting of a person with skulls

Description automatically generated

James Ensor

Pierrot en geraamten

Pierrot et squelettes

Pierrot and Skeletons

1905

Olieverf op doek / huile sur toile / oil on canvas

Inv. 98000447

Verzameling / collection KBC Bank NV, Brussel


A group of people walking in the snow

Description automatically generated

James Ensor

De ontmoeting (Minnetuin)

La Rencontre (Jardin d’amour)

The Meeting (The Garden of Love)

1912

Olieverf op doek / huile sur toile / oil on canvas

Verzameling / collection Filip & Kristel Goos


A book cover with colorful drawings

Description automatically generated

James Ensor

Caprice

Ca/vers 1915-20

Kleurpotloden en krijt op achterkant van partituur Marche des rotariens /

crayons de couleur et craie au revers de la partition de la Marche des rotariens

/ coloured pencils and chalks on the reverse of the score of Marche des

rotariens

Verzameling / collection P.F.

 


A group of clowns and clowns

Description automatically generated

James Ensor

La Gamme d’amour (Flirt van marionnetten)

La Gamme d’amour (Flirt des marionnettes)

La Gamme d’amour (Flirt of Puppets)

1926 

Olieverf op doek / huile sur toile / oil on canvas

Inv 100527

Verzameling / collection Bonnefanten, langdurige bruikleen / prêt à long terme / long-term loan Rijksdienst voor Cultureel Erfgoed 

© Peter Cox 



Anoniem / anonyme / anonymous

James Ensor surrounded by masks [staff members of the Centre for Fine Arts in costume]. Photograph taken on the banquet of 10 Feb 1929, Centre for Fine Arts, Brussels.

James Ensor omringd door maskers [verklede personeelsleden van het Paleis voor Schone Kunsten]

Foto genomen ter gelegenheid van het banket op 10.02.1929, Paleis voor Schone Kunsten, Brussel.

© Bozar Archives, Brussels


A painting of a tree

Description automatically generated

James Ensor 

De bloeiende klarinet

La Clarinette fleurie

The Flowering Clarinet

1938

Olieverf op paneel / huile sur panneau / oil on panel

Verzameling / collection P.F.







A painting of a city

Description automatically generated

James Ensor

Decor voor “La Gamme d’amour”. Tweede tafereel: De marktplaats

Décor pour La Gamme d’amour. 2ième tableau : La Place Publique

Decor for the ballet “Gamme d’amour”. 2nd act: The Town Square

s.d. 

Zwart-wit foto, bijgekleurd met gouache / photo n&b, rehaussée à la gouache / black and white photo, enhanced with gouache

Verzameling / collection P.F.