Huis op de Anspachlaan 1888

James Ensor rendered this sketch of a building on the Anspachlaan with etching. In architectural renderings, the facade often acts as a potent symbol, expressing the values, aspirations, and even the anxieties of a society. The repetition of windows, each a portal of light, is reminiscent of the "fenestrae" motif, seen in ancient Roman architecture. The window motif transcends mere functionality, becoming a lens through which we view the world, both literally and figuratively. This concept echoes in Renaissance paintings, where windows often frame pivotal scenes, symbolizing clarity and enlightenment. However, in the modern context of Ensor's etching, this motif becomes less about enlightenment and more about the alienating effect of modern urban existence. The rigid uniformity of the windows hints at a deeper psychological unease – a fear of anonymity in the industrialized world. Ensor has captured something elemental about the modern human condition, evoking our subconscious fears about the individual's place in an increasingly uniform world.