Mijn dode tante 1916

James Ensor made this drawing of his dead aunt, probably in situ, using delicate pencil lines and soft washes of color. You can see the process in the visible under drawing. It’s like he’s trying to feel his way into the subject, cautiously mapping her features and the folds of the bedclothes. The drawing has this incredible sense of intimacy because of the way the artist used the materials. The lines are so tentative, like he’s barely touching the paper. Then there are these little touches of red around the mouth and neck. It's just enough to bring the whole scene into focus. The crossed hands, clutching a crucifix, are particularly powerful, as if to suggest a final act of faith. I am reminded of Paula Modersohn-Becker who also turned to intimate subjects executed with this same degree of sensitivity. Like her, Ensor embraces ambiguity and allows us to find our own meaning in the work.