The Drunkards 1883

James Ensor painted 'The Drunkards' in 1883 with oil on canvas. The painting shows two men in an apparent state of inebriation sitting at a table with a bottle of alcohol. Painted in Belgium, a country undergoing rapid industrialization at the time, this work may reflect concerns about the social impact of modernization. The figures, seemingly working-class men, could be read as victims of a society that offered little to those outside its elite circles. Their stupor might be interpreted as a form of escape from the harsh realities of their existence. In many ways, this painting is a kind of social commentary, reflecting Ensor's awareness of the issues that affected the working class of his time. To fully understand this work, we can look at the socio-economic conditions of Belgium in the late 19th century. It is important to understand Ensor's own social background and political views.