Lettres de James Ensor à la famille Rousseau Bookdesign

Art & history

About the book

"Lettres de James Ensor à la famille Rousseau" is a book that offers fresh perspectives on the life and artistic contributions of the renowned Ostend artist. Within its pages, readers will discover a collection of 400 heartfelt letters addressed to the Rousseau family. As you delve into this correspondence, you'll bear witness to the sincere friendship between James Ensor and the Rousseau family, gaining insights into the artist's fears and insecurities. This compilation is meticulously documented and accompanied by insightful commentary. If you're seeking a scholarly reference on James Ensor, this work comes highly recommended.

Concept

The exchange of letters between James Ensor and the Rousseau family mirrors the physical journey along the road connecting Brussels and Ostend, and vice versa. This road serves as a central motif in the book's design, making appearances on both the cover and the title pages of the chapters.

Design

To depict the route taken by Ensor on foot and by train from his house to the Rousseaus' residence, dip pen and red ink illustrations are employed. Along this path, you'll encounter an isolated figure derived from the letters themselves. The synergy between this figure and the depicted route imbues the entire design with a dynamic quality.

Specifications

Photographs and concept by Claire Dekens
Printed by Buroform, Mechelen
Paper: jacket: Arena Smooth Extra White 120 gr, cover: Arena Smooth Extra White 250 gr, pages: Arena Smooth Extra White 120 gr, all Fedrigoni Paper
Book edge trimming: Haletra, Houthalen