Woman with Blue Shawl 1881

"Woman with Blue Shawl" (1881) is a portrait painting by Belgian artist James Ensor, known for his use of expressive color and bold brushstrokes. The painting features a seated elderly woman, her face obscured by shadow, wearing a vibrant blue shawl that contrasts dramatically with the dark background. Ensor's style captures the sitter's weathered features and somber mood with a realism that borders on caricature, reminiscent of works by his contemporaries like Van Gogh. The painting is a powerful example of Ensor's exploration of human emotion and his use of light and dark to create a sense of psychological depth.