Digital Collection
Girl with Masks (Communion), James Ensor
James Ensor
Girl with Masks (Communion)
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James Ensor

Girl with Masks (Communion), 1921

Dimensions
57.2 x 52.5 cm
Physical Description
Oil on canvas
Inventory Number
SG 465
Acquisition
Acquired in 1930
Status
On display, 1st upper level, Modern Art, room 6

Texts

About the Work

This painting by the Belgian artist James Ensor has no storyline and leaves many questions unanswered. What is on the girl’s mind? Is she holding a torn flower wreath in her hands? The alternative title, ‘Communion’ – which was probably not chosen by Ensor himself – leads us to assume that the scene shows the girl at her first communion. Yet the festive mood of the Christian celebration is contradicted by her rigid gaze and the grotesque masks. Her mouth is open in a silent scream.

Audio

  • Basic information
    01:19
  • Focus on art history
    01:43

Work Data

Basic Information

Title
Girl with Masks (Communion)
Painter
Period Produced
School
Object Type
Physical Description
Oil on canvas
Material
Technique
Label at the Time of Manufacture
Signiert oben rechts in Weiß: ENSOR 99

Property and Acquisition

Institution
Departement
Collection
Creditline
Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main
Picture Copyright
Public Domain
Acquisition
Acquired in 1930

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre
Main Motif

Iconclass

Primary
Secondary

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Last update

25.04.2024