Wit paard, stoel en figuren 1880 - 1885

James Ensor made this untitled drawing, in Belgium, using graphite on paper. The figures, ghostly and indistinct, seem to inhabit a liminal space. Are they specters of the past, or merely fleeting impressions of modern urban life? The presence of the working horse and the figures in their bourgeois clothing evoke the social strata of 19th century Belgium, a period marked by rapid industrialization and stark class divisions. Ensor, known for his satirical and often grotesque imagery, was a sharp critic of the bourgeois society. He often employed masks and fantastical figures to expose the hypocrisy and superficiality he perceived around him. To understand this work better, delve into the social history of Belgium during the late 19th century. Look for resources in archives, books, and journals to better understand the social and institutional context that shaped Ensor’s artistic vision. Only then can we begin to appreciate the depth and complexity of this seemingly simple drawing.