Ensor 2024: the climax of an artistic anniversary
Flemish Master James Ensor breathed his last exactly 75 years ago. Flanders has been honoring him and his modern art with a jam-packed festive year. The resounding finale is taking place in Antwerp as the city bids him farewell with four magnificent exhibitions.
Who was James Ensor?
There’s never been anyone quite like James Ensor (1860-1949). This Flemish Master was a pioneer in the modern arts. His oeuvre is at once recognizable and alienating, full of beauty, humor and satire. His fondness for the North Sea, the macabre and the grotesque are signature elements.
The length of time since his death is reason enough to put this grand master in the spotlight once again, and that’s the purpose of “Ensor 2024”. During the end-of-year period, Antwerp is providing a resounding conclusion that includes four impressive exhibitions.
“In your wildest dreams” | until 19 January 2025 at KMSKA
The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) is home to the world’s largest Ensor collection. The exhibition “In your wildest dreams. Ensor beyond Impressionism”, is supported by significant loans from the world’s leading art museums. Thanks to these, KMSKA can offer a complete overview of Ensor’s body of work and career.
“Ensor’s states of imagination” | until 19 January 2025 at Plantin-Moretus Museum
The Plantin-Moretus Museum takes a different approach, centered on prints. In his youth, Ensor long experimented with etchings. Rapidly, he found his own voice and approach to the medium. “Ensor’s states of imagination” brings together the most remarkable results of his experiments. You’ll discover a wealth of drawings, copper plates and prints on old paper, vellum, and colored satin.
“Masquerade, Make-up & Ensor” | until 2 February 2025 at MoMu
As a boy, James Ensor was surrounded by carnival masks. His family sold these in the souvenir shop where he grew up. Those odd faces would later play a major role in his work. The Fashion Museum (MoMu) builds upon that. Is make-up a mask, or just the opposite, a means of expression? That is the question “Masquerade, Make-up & Ensor” addresses.
Cindy Sherman | until 2 January 2025 at FOMU
FOMU, Antwerp’s Photo Museum, also focuses on masks, presenting them in a contemporary context with the Cindy Sherman retrospective. It shows the American photographer in striking disguise, in over 100 colorful and often funny self-portraits. With humor and intelligence, she holds up a mirror to us, just as Ensor did in his time.
With these four exhibitions, Antwerp is bringing an impressive conclusion to a whirlwind Ensor 2024. While this anniversary year may be coming to an end, love for Ensor never will. You will always be able to discover this Flemish Master in Flanders.
