Fisherman Falling in the Water 1880 - 1886

James Ensor made this drawing, Fisherman Falling in the Water, with pencil on paper. Ensor was a Belgian artist working in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time of great social and political change in Europe. His work often reflects the anxieties and uncertainties of this era, with its focus on industrialization, urbanization, and the rise of mass culture. In this image, a figure in a top hat tumbles awkwardly. Is he a fisherman or some other member of the bourgeoisie? The ambiguity lends itself to the view of a society in decline. It is an unflattering and almost caricatured representation. Ensor was associated with a group of artists called Les XX, who sought to challenge the conservative art establishment in Belgium. He embraced experimentation and pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in art at that time. To fully understand Ensor's work, we can consult primary sources, such as his letters and essays, as well as secondary sources, such as critical analyses and biographical studies. This way we can gain insight into the social and cultural context in which he was working, and better appreciate the meaning and significance of his art.