Three Heads of Wild Animals 

James Ensor created "Three Heads of Wild Animals" using graphite on paper. Ensor worked in a period when traditional drawing skills were highly valued, so this sketch reflects a well-honed ability. Notice how the graphite lines vary in weight and direction, creating a sense of depth and texture, bringing the animals to life on the page. The process of sketching, with its immediacy and potential for revision, lends the artwork a sense of spontaneity, as if capturing a fleeting moment of observation. This is far from a finished, polished academic drawing - Ensor was more interested in quickly capturing the character of his animal subjects. He’s less interested in their anatomical accuracy. It’s this quality of the work that allows us to appreciate the artwork’s material qualities, and Ensor's intent as an artist. It reminds us that art is not just about the final product, but also about the process of creation, and the artist’s labor.