Large seascape – Sunset 1885

James Ensor captured this large seascape at sunset with oil on canvas. The overwhelming presence of the sea carries a complex symbolism. The sea has been perceived as the origin of life, chaos, and the subconscious. Ensor channels these meanings into the artwork through the sea. The same motif appears in ancient art. In ancient Egyptian mythology, for example, the sea was often associated with Nun, the primordial waters from which all life emerged. Similarly, the sunset—a recurring symbol of closure, the end of a cycle— is presented as the beginning of a new phase. Think of the setting sun as the conclusion of a long journey. The collective unconscious, in the psychoanalytic sense, allows us to perceive this scene not merely as the end of a day, but as an engagement with mortality. This scene engages viewers on a profound level, reflecting our own emotional and subconscious responses to time. In this cyclical dance between ending and beginning, between light and shadow, Ensor's seascape encourages us to reflect on these constantly evolving and recurring symbols that resonate with our own experiences.