Christ's Entry Into Brussels in 1889
Christ's Entry Into Brussels in 1889 | |
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French: L'Entrée du Christ à Bruxelles | |
Oil on canvas | |
Dimensions | 252.7 cm × 430.5 cm (99.5 in × 169.5 in) |
Location | J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles |
Christ's Entry Into Brussels in 1889 (
Description
The monumental work measures 2.53 m × 4.31 m (8 ft 4 in × 14 ft 2 in). It was so large that Ensor was unable to work on the whole painting at the same time, nailing part to the walls and allowing the rest to drape on the ground. He used brushes,
It depicts a crowded scene with a colourful carnival procession, ostensibly held to celebrate the arrival of Christ, but none of the surrounding figures pay any attention to the small figure of Christ – almost hidden at the centre, with yellow halo and red coat, riding on a donkey, with one hand raised in greeting or blessing – amid the grotesque clowns, a marching band, and other figures, many apparently wearing masks. Above is a red banner, with the words "Vive la sociale". To the right, another banner reads "Vive Jesus Roi de Bruxlles" beside the painters signature "J. Ensor" and the date, 1888. Some of the figures may be caricatures of real figures: for example, Christ resembles Ensor himself, and one figure has been identified as the Marquis de Sade.
History
The painting was rejected by Les XX, and kept in the artist's house in Ostend, although it was shown at his studio in his lifetime.[1]
It was first exhibited in 1929 at the
Frank sold the work to the Getty Museum in 1987, for €9 million. Despite protests in Belgium, the painting was exported, and it is on permanent exhibition at the Getty Center in Los Angeles.[3]
In their initial conservation work, the Getty removed the discoloured 1950s varnish, and left the cleaned painting unvarnished, as Ensor had left it. The 1950s lining and its deteriorated wax resin adhesive were also removed, and the work was relined to and mounted on a new aluminium stretcher. The gilding was removed from the simple frame, which was returned to its original white colour.
The Getty also holds a graphite and
The painting is one of just three selected by Stefan Jonsson to explain the history of democracy and socialism over a period of two centuries, and how "the masses" are perceived.[4]
See also
References
- ^ "Christ's Entry into Brussels in 1889". Getty Museum. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
- JSTOR 777458.
- ^ "Great Works: Christ's Entry into Brussels in 1889 1888". The Independent. 16 September 2011. Archived from the original on November 1, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
- ISBN 978-0-231-14526-8.
Further reading
- Berman, Patricia G. (2002). James Ensor: Christ's Entry into Brussels in 1889. Los Angeles: Getty Publications. ISBN 0-89236-641-9.