Fernand Khnopff

Fernand Khnopff (1858-1921) was a multifaceted Belgian artist who perfectly mastered a range of artistic techniques. Yet, unlike his contemporary and fellow artist James Ensor, he was not a born engraver. Nevertheless, he recognized the value of the art of engraving. For a long time his graphic oeuvre received little or no attention. His drypoints are few in number but are of exceptional quality. He was regularly commissioned to illustrate literary works. Executed in different printing techniques, his compositions perfectly evoke the melancholy or decadent atmosphere of fin-de-siècle literature. His interest in photography led him to produce tinted and enhanced platinum prints of his own work in limited editions.