Ensor's States of Imagination
How did Ensor make prints? What techniques did he use? In what ways did he experiment with this medium and from which old masters did he draw his inspiration? Find out the answers in this exhibition.
©© Collectie Stad Antwerpen, Museum Plantin-Moretus
In autumn 2024, the Museum Plantin-Moretus presents the exhibition Ensor's States of Imagination about Ensor's remarkable graphic adventure. For several years, the young Ensor experimented lavishly with etching techniques. In his own words, "Practice makes perfect! Especially for etching. Experience is lacking and requires repeated trials and efforts."
Ensor soon developed a unique approach to the medium. With predecessors like Rembrandt in mind, Ensor went his own way. His studio became a test lab for experiments where chance sometimes played a role.
©Museum Plantin-Moretus
i'Trots', door Ensor, 1904
Ensor's States of Imagination gathers for the first time the most remarkable results of these experiments: preparatory drawings, copper plates and various states of impressions. We show unique prints on parchment and colored satin. Ensor transforms prints into unique works of art by manually coloring them with colored pencil, chalk or watercolor. In this way, unexpected details emerge, depth is created in large crowds and new figures take shape.
At the same time, our museum's 18th-century reading room will zoom in on Ensor and Verhaeren through the mini-exhibition Ensor filleted by the Dangerous Cooks. This mini-exhibition starts from the special Verhaeren collection which - until now - has received little attention. The focus here is Ensor's drawing Les cuisiniers dangereux from this collection.
Experience video opening weekend
Ensor year
In 2024, it will be 75 years since we said goodbye to James Ensor. With the largest Ensor collection in the world, the avant-garde artist lives on in Antwerp.
From September 2024, several Antwerp museums will highlight the artist's oeuvre with a series of ambitious exhibitions. The focus is on Ensor's enduring relevance through cross-pollination with contemporary art, fashion and photography. A perfect match with the range of assets Antwerp has to offer throughout the year.
Discover Ensor from surprising angles, as an innovator and as a game-changer. Because Ensor is so much more than the painter of masks.
