The garden at café Tivoli in Ostend 1876

"The garden at café Tivoli in Ostend" is an oil painting by James Ensor, created in 1876. Ensor, a Belgian painter, was known for his unique style that incorporated elements of realism, symbolism, and expressionism. This painting captures a serene landscape scene of a garden by the water, featuring a building and a group of trees along the shore. The artist's use of color is muted, creating a peaceful and atmospheric scene. The reflective surface of the water adds depth and complexity to the composition, while the simple brushstrokes suggest a sense of immediacy and spontaneity. Ensor’s early works like this one often depict ordinary subjects with a quiet intensity, foreshadowing his later, more provocative and satirical masterpieces.