JAMES ENSOR | Le Nuage

Théo Hannon, Brussels (his sale: Salle Aeolian, Brussels, December 26, 1916, lot 81)
Y. Breckpot, Antwerp (aquired at the above sale)
J. Beuckeleers, Antwerp
Galerie Atelier (Franz Aerts), Ostende
Sale: S.A. Servats N.V., Brussels, May 18, 1993, lot 127
Willy D'Huysser (acquired at the above sale)
Acquired from the above by the present owner in 1988

Antwerp, Kunst van Heden, 1921
Venice, XV. Esposizione Biennale Internationale d'Arte, 1926, no. 97
Antwerp, Koninkljik Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen, Retrospectieve James Ensor, 1951, no. 1, listed in the catalogue p. 37
Zurich, Kunsthaus Zurich & Antwerp, Koninkljik Museum woor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen, James Ensor, 1983
Kobe, Museum of Modern Art, James Ensor, 1983-84

Executed on cream wove paper, laid down on cardboard, set between backing board and glass. The sheet is slightly undulating. There is mount staining along the extreme edges with some minor paper skinning to the left part of the lower edge and some glue remnant to the right part of the lower edge. There are two small flattened creases towards the centre of the left edge. There is some light staining and some dots of foxing in places. This work is in overall good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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 charcoal drawing Le Nuage dates from the same period as the Les Quatre Tempéraments drawing and alludes to a situation experienced by James Ensor. He is depicted sitting on the left, in a train carriage, with two other masculine characters facing him, very probably Théo Hannon and Willy Finch, represented in Les Quatre Tempéraments. Further to his studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels from 1877 to 1880, Ensor travelled regularly from Ostend to Brussels where he liked to frequent cabarets and theatres with his artist or writer friends. The figures observe the landscape through the carriage windows. Or rather the sky in which a cloud forms an intriguing shape. The carriage number 69 adds a spark of humour to the situation. This type of comic and “allegorical” scene can be found again in Les Cuisiniers dangereux from 1896. This drawing belonged to Théo Hannon, as did Les Quatre Temperaments. Xavier Tricot