Incens 1898

Fernand Khnopff made this painting, Incens, using oil on canvas, during the Symbolist movement. The smooth brushwork and subdued palette give the entire scene an ethereal quality. Yet, the real skill on display here is Khnopff's attention to the textures of the fabrics, particularly the figure’s elaborate garment. The patterns on the cloth appear to be embroidered, which would have been an extremely time-consuming process, involving a high degree of skill and artistry. Consider also the labor needed to make the fabric itself. It would likely have been woven on a loom, then dyed and finished. Khnopff’s sensitivity to the labor involved in producing these beautiful textiles is quite remarkable. He makes us aware of the distance between his studio practice as a ‘fine artist’ and those everyday traditions of making. In doing so, Khnopff asks us to consider the value of all creative practices, bridging the gap between art and craft.