James Ensor

James Ensor was a master of the grotesque and carnivalesque. Think of "Ensor's grotesque" parade. His style is marked by:

• Masks: Ubiquitous, symbolizing hypocrisy, anonymity, and the absurdity of society.
• Skeletons: Often depicted in everyday situations, representing mortality and the human condition.
• Bright, dissonant colors: Creating a jarring, unsettling atmosphere.
• Crowded compositions: Figures jostle for space, amplifying the chaos and unease.
• Social satire: Ensor used his art to critique political corruption, bourgeois values, and the superficiality of modern life.

His work is unforgettable for its unsettling, yet strangely compelling vision of a world where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur.