Who painted The Lady with Fan?

The Lady with Fan was painted by James Ensor in 1890.

Where can I see The Lady with Fan?

The Lady with Fan is held by Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

What movement is The Lady with Fan?

The Lady with Fan is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of The Lady with Fan?

Museum-quality prints of The Lady with Fan are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Lady with Fan

James Ensor , 1890

The Lady with Fan is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist James Ensor. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

About this work

Overview

The Lady with Fan is an 1890 oil painting by James Ensor, a Belgian artist associated with the post-impressionist movement and the group Les XX. The work is characterized by its serene depiction of a woman holding a fan, set against a muted background.

Subject & Meaning

The painting's central figure is a woman in everyday attire, standing calmly with a green and yellow fan in her right hand. Her neutral expression and relaxed posture convey a sense of quiet contemplation, while the fan may symbolize a moment of leisure or subtle emotional nuance.

Technique & Style

Ensor executed the piece in oil paint, employing a post-impressionist approach evident in the muted color palette of the background, contrasted with the vibrant hues of the fan. The overall composition emphasizes simplicity and intimacy.

History & Provenance

Created in 1890, The Lady with Fan is now part of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp's collection, reflecting Ensor's significance within Belgian artistic heritage.

Context

As a member of Les XX, Ensor's work, including The Lady with Fan, was influenced by the group's emphasis on innovation and experimentation, distinguishing it from more traditional Belgian art of the time.

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Artist & collection

Artist

James Ensor

James Sidney Edouard, Baron Ensor (13 April 1860 – 19 November 1949) was a Belgian painter and printmaker, an important influence on expressionism and surrealism who lived in Ostend for most of his life.