James Ensor (1860-1949)

Belgian painter and etcher

The Belgian painter and etcher James Ensor (1860-1949) was born on 13 April 1860 In Ostend. From 1877 to 1880 Ensor studied at the Academy in Brussels under Robert Stallaert and Von Severdonck.

Ostend

James Ensor returned to his birthplace Ostend and became a member of "Les Vingt", a group of Brussels artists. After 1885 he regularly participated in the exhibitions of this group.
Ensor wrote an essay "Three Weeks at the Academy", which mocked teaching at the Academy.

Entry of Christ into Brussels

In 1885 Ensor traveled to England, where he studied the light effects in William Turner's paintings. In the following year he adopted the impressionist style of painting in his work and began to work on his principal work "Entry of Christ into Brussels".
His first solo exhibition was held in Brussels in 1896.

Emotional attitude to social problems

Ensor's emotional attitude to social problems can often be seen in his work. Its source is to be found more in a sort of anarchism, than in any form of partisan engagement.

Skeletons

Opinions vary on the frequent use of skeletons in his work. Some view them as a macabre joke and others attach them to Christian symbolism or obsession by the death.
James Ensor died in Ostend, the place where he was born and had worked, on 19 November 1949.

More information

Arts Main Page