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An internationally renowned artist.
James Ensor is without a doubt one of the most famous Belgian artists. Like Rubens, Bruegel, Van Eyck or Delvaux, Ensor is considered among the best painters of that part of the world. More than that, Ensor is in demand. Quite a few prestigious international museums have an Ensor in their permanent collection or would love to have one.
Ensor lived in Ostend and his Ostend home is now a museum dedicated to him, but the largest Ensor collection in the world can be found in Antwerp. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) has an exceptional and comprehensive collection of Ensor masterpieces.
A recognisable and sought-after painting.
Ensor's most notable contribution to modern art is his use of masks. Carnival masks started to appear in his drawings and paintings in 1887. “To me, masks offer fresh tones, sumptuous decoration, grand unexpected acts, razor-sharp expressions and delightful turbulence,” Ensor himself said in 1911. There are very few pieces in which all these aspects feature as strongly as in Carnival in Binche.
Rarity is also an important investment criterion. Paintings by Ensor that feature masks have usually already been acquired by museums and are rarely available for sale on the private market. And when they are, they usually fetch high prices at international auctions.
Carnival in Binche has excellent provenance. It has been exceptionally well preserved, and we know the private collections it belonged to in the past. Thanks to the Art Security Tokens, the piece can now finally be shown to the general public.
The Intrigue (1890), another Ensor masterpiece from the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA), shows the same recognisable imagery.
An important addition to the Ensor collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA).
Although the museum currently already owns two pieces of Ensor's mature work, the museum is very pleased with the arrival of Carnival in Binche. It is an exceptionally powerful and intriguing piece that is brimming with colours and character.
The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) has the largest Ensor collection in the world and also runs its own research centre on Ensor's pieces. Its involvement benefits the painting's reputation, which could affect its value.
The painting was held in private collections for many years. Thanks to you and the other token holders, the piece can now finally be shown to the general public. This public exposure will also attract more attention to the painting.
Quality and authentication.
The piece was selected with the utmost care and verified by the experts of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA).
In addition to the thorough analysis by the museum's experts, the Ensor Expert Committee of independent Ensor experts has also issued a certificate of authenticity.
The piece is included in Xavier Tricot’s catalogue of Ensor's work (James Ensor. Catalogue Raisonné des Peintures. Mercatorfonds, Bruxelles, p.360 no. 526 (ill.))
The piece is signed by Ensor in the bottom left corner.
The experts of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) thoroughly checked the painting and the condition of the paint layer, canvas and frame.
The full condition report is available to token holders. The museum will also conduct an annual inspection of the piece. The current token holders will be notified of this.
When purchasing a piece of art, it is important to know its provenance or history of ownership. This prevents fraud and money laundering. The work has always been part of private collections and all the former owners are known.
