The Multiplication of the Fishes 1891

James Ensor’s 1891 drawing, “The Multiplication of the Fishes,” depicts a large crowd of people gathered around a figure in a long robe. The figure is possibly Jesus Christ, holding a fish, alluding to the biblical story of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. The crowd's faces are rendered in a grotesque and exaggerated manner, creating a sense of chaos and unease. Ensor's work, often characterized by its satirical and often grotesque nature, reflects the social and political climate of his time, which was marked by rapid industrialization and social upheaval.