...and James Ensor, the painter from Ostend.
The James Ensor House
You’re definitely going to like James Ensor, born on 13 April 1860 in Ostend, because remarkable is certainly the very least you can say about the Ostend artist. His Belgian mother and English father ran a souvenir shop full of shells, masks and other curiosities. Ensor also found inspiration for his world-renowned Expressionist work during his many rambles through Ostend. He uses his unconventional style and critical eye to address social issues.
Take Ensor’s best known work ‘The Entry of Christ into Brussels’. The huge painting, measuring 2.58 metres in height and 4.31 metres in length, depicts a carnival-like procession of masked figures and clowns, with Ensor himself portrayed as Christ. A masterpiece full of satire and criticism of society, which also targets the church and state.
Not only a painter Ensor was also a talented composer and writer, even though he never set foot in a music school. His best-known composition is ‘La Gamme d’Amour’, a ballet for which he designed the set and some of the costumes himself and whose musical score is evidence of his versatility and creativity
The James Ensor House
Ensor in the Crystal Ship
In 2021, The Crystal Ship paid tribute to James Ensor with a stunning artwork by Sozy-One. The Brussels artist was inspired by Ensor’s iconic work ‘The Intrigue’ and created a contemporary interpretation abounding in Expressionism and menacing colours.
Case Maclaim painted a powerful portrait of James Ensor for the 2024 programme entitled ‘The Carnival of Life’. This artwork, based on Ensor’s ‘Self-portrait with masks’, truly brings the artist’s spirit to life. Thanks to augmented reality, Ensor speaks directly to visitors, and his trademark masks are available as Instagram filters.
Ensor in Mariakerke
Not many people know that James Ensor played an important part in protecting the church and preserving the natural landscape surrounding it. In 1894, he was among those who campaigned actively against the threatened demolition of the dune church and development of the site. He helped to ensure that Mariakerke retains a strip of pristine dunes to this day. In 1979 and 1981, the dunes and polders and the land surrounding the church became a protected landscape.
Ensorpad
Duinenpad was renamed ‘Ensorpad’ and remade in concrete in 2025, to mark Ensor Year. All existing paved surfaces in the dunes were removed and areas of the polder landscape were excavated to allow nature to continue to develop there with wet zones. In this way, the improvement of the cycle path and footpath is combined with ecological development, water retention, recreation and art.
Take a short stroll through the dunes and you’ll have a splendid view of Mariakerke. This is where James Ensor painted his ‘Large View of Mariakerke’.
To mark the conclusion of Ensor Year, Swiss artist Daniel Spoerri’s artwork ‘Ik, James Ensor’ (also known as ‘Atelier van Ensor’) was incorporated into the site, next to Ensor’s headstone.
This project was subsidised by the Government of Flanders, with support from the European Fund for Regional Development, The Tourist Office for Flanders and the Province of West Flanders.
