Over the summer I made a trip to the Getty Museum on a sunny afternoon in Los Angeles to take in the stunning architecture, views of LA and an interesting art exhibit by a Belgian artist I’d never heard of before.
The exhibit was entitled The Scandalous Art of James Ensor.
Ensor (1860-1949) was a painter, printmaker and draftsman who lived most of his life in Ostend, Belgium. He began as a portrait painter and created hundreds of realistic portraits, sketches, and landscapes.
Some of his “normal” paintings include Old Lady with Blue Shawl (The Artist’s Grandmother), 1881
and Russian Music, 1881.
The years of 1888-1892 were a turning point in Ensor’s work that earned him the scandalous reputation. During that time, his work began to focus on religious themes, and though he was an atheist he seemed fascinated by the torment of the suffering Christ. Ensor was fascinated with masks and skeletons and enjoyed painting grotesque images in these works, most of which were rich with symbolism and political commentary.
Perhaps his most controversial work was the large painting Christ’s Entry into Brussels, 1889. In it we see a large mob of people walking alongside Jesus as he rides on a donkey (no doubt a play on the Triumphal Entry recorded in the New Testament). Many members of the crowd are wearing grotesque masks. In the crowd there are several historical figures, including Belgian politicians, and even members of Ensor’s family. Ensor felt that he could relate to the mockery Jesus received from others.
Other interesting grotesque paintings by Ensor include The Intrigue
Skeletons Fighting Over a Pickled Herring, 1891
and Skeleton Painter in His Studio.
Ensor had an important influence on expressionism and surrealism. In the early 20th century he finally became respected and acclaimed. He was even knighted and given the title of Baron.
It was quite interesting to see so much of Ensor’s work in person and to learn about this instrumental and “scandalous” artist.
