° 13/04/1860 – † 19/11/1949
Oostende and James Ensor are like a shrimp croquette and a sea view – an iconic duo. Born and raised in this coastal city, Ensor found inspiration on every corner, from his mother’s bizarre curio shop to the misty sea air that fed his brush.
Ensor was no ordinary painter; he was the king of the grotesque and a pioneer of mockery. His favorite themes? Masks and carnival, which he used to show the madness and splendor of human existence. His most famous work, ‘The Entry of Christ into Brussels’, is a colorful chaos in which he holds up a mirror to religion and society – with a thick layer of satire.
Step into the Ensor House and let yourself be swept away by his crazy, creative universe – his spirit still lingers there. Walk through Oostende and feel it: every street corner vibrates with that unique Ensor magic.
© Toerisme Oostende
