James Ensor and Georges Creten. An exceptional photographic - Lot 7

James Ensor and Georges Creten. An exceptional photographic archive consisting of three albums of photographs that belonged to Georges Creten (1887–1966). This is a rare glimpse into the Belgian art scene of the interwar period, offering an intimate look into the painter’s circle of friends. Among them are 65 photographs of James Ensor (1860–1949), several of which show the artist in private moments as well as his famous “shop” of painted seashells in Ostend. One of the most striking images is a portrait of Ensor whose face seems to blend into a background filled with painted masks and a skull. Two autograph letters from James Ensor, dated December 8, 1926, and May 18, 1927, confirm that these photographs were taken by Jeanne Creten, wife of Georges Creten. In his letter of December 8, 1926, Ensor writes: “Ostend, December 8, 1926 Dear Madam, Your package delights me immensely; you are the most sensitive and artistic of photographers. You present me in a serious light, with an expression made even more serious by the pose. That says it all. I am pleased with myself and with you, dear Madam, and my friends gaze with admiration at my stern and venerable image while praising your fine talent as a photographer. Once again, my heartfelt thanks and sincere regards, as well as to my excellent friend Georges Creten. Your friend, J. Ensor. ” Among the other artists photographed are notably Gustaaf De Smet (1877–1943), Louis Thevenet (1874–1930) savoring Emma’s tarts—“as good as they are beautiful”— Georges Creten alongside Constant Permeke (1886–1952) in his Ostend studio—accompanied by a postcard sent by Permeke—as well as Paul Haesaerts (1901–1974) painting Creten’s portrait in 1929. The collection also includes four magnificent and rare photographic portraits of Léon Spilliaert (1881–1946), taken in 1928, showing him posing in front of his works, accompanied by a signed letter dated February 17, 1933. Also included is a ballpoint pen sketch by Georges Creten from 1942 depicting Edgard Tytgat (1879–1957) in profile, as well as several photographs of the artist in his home alongside his wife Maria. Notably featured are pieces of furniture painted with Expressionist scenes, as well as a windmill “that was turned by a crank.” Creten also appears in the company of Hyppolite Daeye (1873–1952), Ferdinand Schirren (1872–1944), Ramah (1887–1947), Georges Minne (1866–1941), Gustave Van de Woestijne (1881–1947), Jean Milo (1906–1993), Paul Maas (1890–1962), Prosper De Troyer (1880–1961), and Valerius De Saedeleer (1867–1941). The latter is the subject of a rare photo essay devoted to the looms of Élisabeth De Saedeleer (1902–1972) and her young female workers from the village. A magnificent photograph in particular shows Élisabeth in front of her loom in 1924. This rare and exceptional collection brings together 324 photographs, numerous newspaper clippings, and two pencil portraits of James Ensor by Georges Creten.