Male Nudes 

James Ensor made this drawing of male nudes, with pen and ink on paper. The immediacy of the lines, which range from confident strokes to hesitant scratches, tells us that this was a study from life, likely done in a studio or classroom setting. The pen’s responsiveness allows Ensor to describe the contours of the body with economical efficiency. This choice of materials also creates a sense of intimacy. The quick marks show Ensor’s fluency in this traditional method. Through the act of mark-making, the artist translated flesh and bone into lines on paper, harnessing the potential of simple tools to capture the essence of the human form. It’s as if the artist were having a conversation with the model, the pen acting as a conduit for his observations and interpretations. The marks on the paper can be appreciated not just for what they depict, but also for what they reveal about the artist’s hand. Ultimately, understanding the materials and the process of creation allows us to appreciate the skill and artistry that went into this seemingly simple sketch.