Woman at a Table in a Café 1880 - 1886

James Ensor made this drawing of a woman at a table in a café with pencil on paper. It’s difficult to say exactly when it was made, but we can assume it was sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Ensor was from Belgium, and this drawing reflects the growing café culture there and across Europe at the time. Cafés were important social spaces, particularly in urban areas, where people from different classes could come together. Ensor was interested in depicting modern life, and here he captures a scene of quiet contemplation in a public space. It’s fascinating to consider the social role of cafés, not just as places for refreshment, but as spaces for debate and exchange. When we study cultural history, we might explore old newspapers, magazines, photographs, and even menus to learn more about what it was like to be there at that time.