Skeletons Fighting Over a Pickled Herring 1891

Belgian artist James Ensor's 1891 painting, "Skeletons Fighting Over a Pickled Herring", depicts a comical scene of two skeletons engaged in a violent tug-of-war over a pickled herring. This painting is a prime example of Ensor's satirical style, often characterized by grotesque imagery and social commentary. The artist's use of vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes creates a chaotic and unsettling mood. This piece is often interpreted as a critique of societal vanity and materialism, where life's pleasures are ultimately meaningless in the face of death.