Woman 

James Ensor made this drawing of a woman with graphite on paper, we don't know exactly when. The quick, gestural strokes of the graphite capture the figure's form and presence. Notice the way the artist uses simple lines to suggest the woman's clothing, hair, and facial features. The blankness of the paper and the seeming speed of the application draw attention to the process of mark making. This immediate, almost nonchalant quality is an artistic choice that reveals the artist's intent. It suggests that the act of observing and recording is more significant than the final image itself. Think about the amount of time and effort involved in a sketch like this, compared to a highly finished painting. The directness of the graphite on paper speaks to a different kind of artistic labor, one that emphasizes the value of the moment. It is one that captures spontaneity over meticulous detail. By focusing on the essence of the subject with minimal means, Ensor challenges traditional notions of artistic value.