De intocht van Christus te Brussel 1898

James Ensor made this drawing, *The Entry of Christ into Brussels*, using crayon. The image presents a cacophony of figures, flags, and faces filling the urban landscape, with Christ entering the city, reminiscent of a religious festival parade. Ensor was from Belgium, a culture that has long negotiated between Catholic and Protestant identities. He was working in a time when there was an increasing secularization of society, and a recognition of deep seated hypocrisy of political and religious institutions. The picture might be read as a symbolic commentary on the decline of religion and the rise of social and political spectacle. The carnival-like atmosphere, along with the grotesque masks, evoke social critique and cultural satire. Understanding this work requires careful research into the history of religious and political institutions in Belgium at the turn of the century. Ultimately, the image is a complex statement on the role of both religion and art in modern society.