A previously unknown oil painting by the artist James Ensor was discovered in March at Castle Loppem and unveiled to the press on Wednesday, confirmed to be a design study by the Belgian artist.
The work, titled Les colifichets or Étoffes, dates back to 1880 and features an oil study applied with a palette knife on pink cardboard, signed ‘Ensor’ at the bottom right.
Research and correspondence found in the archives of the Jean van Caloen Foundation enabled the Ensor Advisory Committee to verify it as an authentic design study by Ensor on 21 May.
The piece is abstract yet features recognisable pieces of fabric within its composition. Amidst the monochrome brown-grey tones, Ensor applied vivid shades of blue, white, yellow, and pink directly onto the cardboard.
On the reverse side, a pencil inscription reads ‘Mr. Fr(ançois). Franck / Rue Everdy 4(3) / Anvers’. François Franck, alongside his elder brother Charles, ran a furniture and decoration business in Antwerp’s Everdijstraat. He was a significant patron of Ensor until his death.
Art enthusiast Baron Roland van Caloen acquired the work for his apartment in Cadzand. Until now, the oil sketch had never been exhibited publicly, as it was displayed in the Baron’s personal space.
When he relocated from Cadzand to a care home, the piece was placed in the castle’s reserves, where it remained until this March. Les colifichets now enjoys a permanent exhibition at Castle Loppem.
