Dossier Especial: James Ensor

James Ensor learned impressionist method, but rebelliously incorporated controversial themes, colours, and shapes into his work. He developed these ideas at the same time as Van Gogh, although there is no record of any interaction between the two or knowledge of either's work. In 1884, he helped found the art Les Vignts, but his preference for solitude led him away from the group. Ensor’s focus on morbid subjects such as skulls and corpses in his early work incited criticism from the public. Although his paintings became more traditional later in his life, Ensor is noted for those earlier paintings because of their significance in the transition from Symbolism to Surrealism.

Ensor is among my 5 favourite painters.