James Ensor

Collection E.J. Duintjer, Veendam
Thence by descent

Groningen, Groninger Museum; Arnhem, Gemeentemuseum Arnhem, Keuze uit de collectie E.J. Duintjer en Prof. G. Kraus, 1957, no. 12

Colours: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate. Condition: Minor discolourisation on the lower left corner (as can be seen in the dress of the women in the catalogue illustration). Apart from minor rubbings and surface dirt a long the edges this work is in excellent condition.
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NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The drawing Les Musciens belongs, like Badende te Oostende from 1890 (Tricot 310), Les Soudards Kès et Pruta entrant dans la Ville de Bise (Tricot 348) and De Losbandige Soldeniers (from the collection of the Museum van Schone Kunsten Antwerpen, inv. no. KMSKA,2738), both dated 1892 (illustrated) belong to a coherent group of works which are still to be researched. A curious aspect of this group is that both paintings and drawings are involved with themes such as streetviews, his best portraits, still lifes, religious, fantastical and satiric compositions. LydiaSchoonbaert (Tekeningen van James Ensor, Antwerpen: Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, 1977) says about De Losbandige Soldeniers':

'...Ensor was inspired by Gustave Doré's Histoire de la Sainte Russie (Parijs,1854) to use a clear, naive linear style in this and comparable drawings. The iconography, the composition without a centre, the high horizons and naive style could be called typical Brueghel' ..(op.cit. Herwig Todts, Ensor Ontmaskerd, Brussel 2010,p240)

In style and theme the walled city in the background in Les Musiciens bears resemblance with the walled city in De Losbandige Soldeniers. It is unknown who the depicted characters in Les Musiciens are, but is possibly a event or scandal which took place around 1892. The pimply face with laurel wreathe and smoking a pipe who observes the 'musiciens' could indicate a satirical event.