L'Acacia, 1888

Dated, titled and signed, - Image 13.5 x 8.6 cm; 5 1/4 x 3 1/4 in - Sheet 29.5 x 22 cm; 11 1/2 x 8 3/4 in - Print on Japan paper in reprint // James Ensor’s 'L'Acacia' is an 1888 drypoint etching, showcasing a delicate, contemplative scene dominated by a large, bare acacia tree. The skeletal branches extend across much of the composition, drawing attention to the contrast between the tree's stark silhouette and the softer, more distant elements of the background, where faint outlines of a structure—possibly a building or castle—can be discerned. The etching's minimalist quality, with its fine, detailed lines and subtle tonal shifts, evokes a sense of solitude and quiet reflection. Ensor's choice of a solitary tree as the central focus offers a meditation on nature's stark beauty and the passage of time, elements that are often present in his more introspective works.