Strijdveld van de Guldensporenslag bij Kortrijk 1895

James Ensor made this etching, "Battlefield of the Golden Spurs near Kortrijk," without specifying a date. Born in Belgium, Ensor was a part of the late 19th century artistic avant-garde. Ensor renders an historical scene—the Battle of the Golden Spurs, fought in 1302 near Kortrijk, where the Flemish defeated the French. Yet, it feels less like a celebration of national pride and more like a descent into chaos. Look closely at how Ensor depicts the figures as grotesque, almost caricatured, diminishing any sense of heroism or grandeur. Ensor's vision challenges traditional narratives, highlighting the absurdity and brutality of war, where individual identities are subsumed by violence. His etching, with its dense composition and unsettling imagery, asks us to reflect on the nature of conflict and its impact on the human spirit. The scene could speak to Ensor’s own anxieties and critiques of power. This battle becomes a stage for exploring themes of social upheaval and human folly.