ENSOR 2024 IN ANTWERP | ‘States of Imagination’, Museum Plantin-Moretus, 28 September 2024 to 19 January 2025

In 2024 Belgium is celebrating the life and works of James Sidney Edouard, Baron Ensor. Ostend, Brussels, Antwerp and other places are going all in on James Ensor. The Ensor Year is a big marketing tool.

From 28 September 2024, the Museum Plantin-Moretus presents ‘Ensor’s States of Imagination‘ about James Ensor’s graphic adventure. The young Ensor experiments exuberantly with etching techniques for several years.

He himself says about this: “Practice makes perfect! Especially for etching. Experience is lacking and requires repeated attempts and efforts.”

With this exhibition, the museum brings together the most remarkable results of Ensor’s graphic experiment for the first time.

The young Ensor experiments with etching techniques for several years and develops a unique approach to the medium. With predecessors such as Rembrandt in mind, Ensor takes a completely unique path. His studio becomes a test lab for experiments in which chance sometimes plays a role.

How did Ensor make prints? Which techniques did he use? In what way did he experiment with this medium and from which old masters did he get his inspiration?

The exhibition shows preparatory drawings, etching plates and special prints on parchment and coloured satin. Ensor transforms etchings into unique works of art by colouring them manually with coloured pencil, chalk and watercolour. In this way, unexpected details emerge, depth is created in large crowds of people and new figures take shape.

Dangerous Kooks

At the same time, the 18th-century reading room of the museum will zoom in on Ensor and Verhaeren by means of the mini-exhibition Ensor dissected by the dangerous cooks. This mini-exhibition starts from the special Verhaeren collection that they keep and that has received little attention until now. The focus here is on the special drawing ‘Les cuisiniers dangereux‘ (‘Dangerous Kooks’) by Ensor from this collection.

Opening weekend

During the festive opening weekend of 28 and 29 September, there is a lot to experience in Museum Plantin-Moretus: guided tours, printing demonstrations, children’s activities and performances.

Ensor’s states of imagination

How did Ensor make prints? What techniques did he use? How did he experiment with this medium and which old masters inspired him? You will find out in this exhibition.

75 years

Artist James Ensor died 75 years ago. Antwerp commemorates this versatile artist with four diverse exhibitions at the KMSKA, Museum Plantin-Moretus, FOMU and MoMu.

They highlight his groundbreaking oeuvre in the international context of his time and show how his visual language is still a source of inspiration for contemporary photography, fashion and make-up. James Ensor: the avant-garde artist, the innovator, the game changer, the inspirator.

Ensor 2024, so much more than masks.

Who was James Ensor?

Born in Ostend in Belgium on 13 April 1860, James Ensor is widely considered one of the most influential figures in the development of Expressionism. His work, characterized by its bold colors, grotesque imagery, and satirical commentary on society, challenged traditional artistic conventions and paved the way for future generations of artists.

Ensor’s early years were marked by a deep connection to his hometown of Ostend. Growing up in a family of glassmakers, he was exposed to the vibrant colours and textures of their craft, which would later inform his own artistic style.

He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, where he was influenced by the teachings of the Belgian Realist painters. However, Ensor’s artistic vision soon diverged from the prevailing academic style, as he began to experiment with more expressive and unconventional approaches.

Ensor’s breakthrough came in the early 1880s with a series of paintings that explored themes of carnival and masquerade. Inspired by the festive atmosphere of the annual Ostend Carnival, Ensor created works that were filled with colourful costumes, masks, and grotesque figures. These paintings often conveyed a sense of underlying anxiety and social critique, as Ensor used the carnival as a metaphor for the hypocrisy and superficiality of human nature.

One of Ensor’s most famous works from this period is ‘The Entry of Christ into Brussels‘ (1888), a large-scale painting that depicts a satirical scene of Jesus Christ entering the city amidst a crowd of grotesque and caricatured figures. The painting’s bold colors and exaggerated forms reflect Ensor’s desire to challenge traditional religious iconography and confront the hypocrisy of contemporary society.

In the 1890s, Ensor’s work became increasingly introspective and symbolic. He began to explore themes of death, decay, and the human condition, often using masks and skeletons as recurring motifs.

‘The Skeletons Feasting‘ (1897) is a particularly haunting example of this period, depicting a macabre scene of skeletons feasting on a banquet table. The painting’s dark palette and grotesque imagery evoke a sense of existential despair and the inevitability of death.

Ensor’s artistic style continued to evolve throughout his career. In the early 20th century, he began to experiment with new techniques, such as collage and printmaking. He also became increasingly interested in political and social issues, using his art to criticize the injustices of his time. His later works often incorporated elements of Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism, reflecting his ongoing exploration of new artistic possibilities.

Ensor’s influence on subsequent generations of artists is undeniable. His bold colors, expressive brushwork, and willingness to confront taboo subjects have inspired countless artists, from Edvard Munch to Willem de Kooning.

Today, Ensor is recognized as one of the most important figures in the history of modern art. His work continues to captivate and challenge viewers, offering a unique and powerful commentary on the human condition.

Ensor died on 19 November 1949, aged 89.

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