Candelabre en vase, 1888

Signed and dated on the front, signed and titled on the back - Image 12 x 8 cm; 4 3/4 x 3 1/4 in. - Sheet 29.5 x 23.8 cm; 11 5/8 x 9 3/8 in - Print on Japanese paper // James Ensor’s 'Candelabre en Vase' is a small-scale etching from 1888, combining elements of both the ornamental and the surreal. The etching depicts an elaborate candelabrum placed in a vase, its delicate details meticulously rendered with Ensor’s fine line work. The intricate design of the candelabrum contrasts with the more organic forms in the surrounding area, creating a sense of tension between the man-made and the natural. The ethereal quality of the scene is characteristic of Ensor’s fascination with blending reality and fantasy, as the object appears to transcend its ordinary function, becoming almost like a mystical or symbolic artifact. The use of Japanese paper enhances the lightness and airiness of the composition, giving the print a delicate, dreamlike feel.