Abstract
It is commonly known that the stylistic revolution in the 19th c. was promoted by the introduction of innovative artists' materials. However, the emergence of styles like Pleinairism, Impressionism, post-Impressionism, etc. required a drastic shift in technique as well; from a traditional academic buildup to free, experimental brushwork. This turn in working methods is pivotal in the field of conservation science as today, many of these innovative materials and paint handling approaches appear unstable and prone to degradation. In order to gain insight in the multitude of problems, we propose research on the oeuvre of the influential Belgian painter James Ensor (1860-1949) as his frequent stylistic and technical changes offer ample opportunities to study the impact of Modernism on painting technique. In particular, an in-depth investigation aims to provide an insight in the evolution of Ensor's material use, paint layer build-up, methods of application, finishing preferences and the overall creative process throughout his career. By contrasting transitional works in his oeuvre, we assess how style breaks are translated into studio practice changes and vice versa. This is accomplished by a comparative visual and technical examination of pairs of key paintings, combined with literature and archival study. In this way, we anticipate to expand knowledge on the impact of new modus operandi on the long term stability of the paintings.
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