James Ensor

James Ensor is a Belgian painter and engraver born in 1860 in Ostend and died in his hometown in 1949. Anarchist and expressionist with an original style, he places his work in the avant-garde movement of the twentieth century. Child, son of an alcoholic and drug addicted English engineer, it is with his mother that he spends most of his days. The latter has a souvenir shop with a whimsical and colorful decor, from which Ensor will never cease to draw his artistic inspiration. Much more attracted to art than to school, he took drawing lessons from the age of 13. Later, he enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels. Returned to live with his mother, with whom he remained until the dawn of his 57th birthday, he set up a studio in the attic and began to paint, mixing realistic and impressionist styles. It was at this time that he experienced success. Deviant artist, fascinated by light, he works it with care and passion. In 1883, he participated in the founding of the Brussels avant-garde group Les Vingt, from which he was almost excluded a few years later because of the incompatibility of some of his paintings with the artistic line of the group. Frustrated and angry, he then endows all his canvases with shimmering and glowing colors. Avant-garde of Fauvism, he goes through this period of lack of recognition with unreason. It was not until the beginning of the 20th century that it was once again propelled to the forefront of the Belgian artistic scene. Ensor's style is radical. He clearly illustrates the acerbic and sarcastic look he has on his peers and on society. His style is insolent, grotesque, and refers to the absurd. Drawing inspiration from the world of carnival, where all aspects of a society are exaggerated and mocked, Ensor demonstrates to the viewer the ridiculousness of his existence. The crowd, an important theme of his work, is always represented as a source of danger, a threat to calm and reason. A curious and multifaceted artist, he explores many techniques and multiplies the supports. Canvas, paper, wood, cardboard ... Everything is likely to attract his attention. In addition to painting and drawing, he was also interested in engraving, and in particular produced many etchings. Died in his hometown at 89, he leaves behind a rich and eclectic artistic production.