Ensor, James | Chaumières, 1888 — available on Composition Gallery

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Signed, dated and titled on recto, signed and titled on verso, - Image 11.7 x 8 cm; 4 5/8 x 3 1/8 in - Sheet 29.5 x 20 cm; 11 1/2 x 7 3/4 in - Proof on Japon nacré

James Ensor’s 'Chaumières' is an 1888 etching that captures a rustic, countryside scene, likely featuring traditional thatched cottages, as suggested by the title ('Chaumières' means 'thatched cottages' in French). The scene is rendered with intricate, expressive line work, typical of Ensor's style, conveying both texture and depth. In the foreground, natural elements such as trees and shrubs appear, while the background is dominated by buildings and a winding path that leads the viewer’s eye deeper into the composition. The dense and dynamic sky suggests movement and adds to the overall atmosphere of the print. Ensor’s detailed technique and careful balance of light and dark create a mood that is both peaceful and slightly mysterious, evoking a timeless rural setting.

James Ensor (Belgium, 1860–1949) was a groundbreaking Symbolist painter known for his satirical and macabre works. His use of masks, skeletons, and vibrant colors reflected themes of death, hypocrisy, and the grotesque, influencing early modern art and Expressionism.

James Ensor

Chaumières, 1888

Name: Chaumières, 1888
SKU: 15065
Price: 1495.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Form

Limited Edition Print

Limited Edition PrintA limited edition print is one of a number of prints made at the same time from one printmaking plate. A fixed number are made and signed by the artist, indicating the printing order, using the format 1/10, meaning first of ten prints.

Medium

Etching

EtchingEtching is a technique where a design is created on a metal surface by using a strong acid or mordant to eat away the unprotected parts of the metal, leaving the desired pattern in relief (intaglio). In modern art and manufacturing, different chemicals may be used depending on the material being etched.

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Signed, dated and titled on recto, signed and titled on verso, - Image 11.7 x 8 cm; 4 5/8 x 3 1/8 in - Sheet 29.5 x 20 cm; 11 1/2 x 7 3/4 in - Proof on Japon nacré

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I need shock effects to impress.
- James Ensor

James Ensor (b. 1860 Belgium, d. 1949 Belgium) was a pioneering Belgian artist whose work bridged the Symbolist and Expressionist movements. Best known for his macabre and fantastical scenes, Ensor often depicted masked figures, skeletons, and bizarre creatures, reflecting his fascination with death, satire, and the absurdity of human existence. He primarily worked in oil painting but also explored etching and drawing.
Ensor’s unique style combined vibrant, almost garish colors with a loose, dynamic brushwork that challenged traditional aesthetics. His works, such as The Entry of Christ into Brussels in 1889, had a significant influence on later avant-garde movements, including Surrealism and German Expressionism. Rooted in the cultural milieu of his hometown, Ostend, and informed by his skepticism of societal norms, Ensor remains a key figure in the transition from 19th-century realism to the expressive experimentation of the 20th century.

Artwork by Rene Magritte

What is Surrealism?

Surrealism began in the 1920s as an art and literary movement with the goal of revealing the unconscious mind and unleashing the imagination by exploring unusual and dream-like imagery. Influenced by Sigmund Freud’s theories of psychoanalysis, Surrealist artists and writers sought to bring the unconscious into rational life, blurring the lines between reality and dreams. The movement aimed to challenge conventional perceptions and express the irrational aspects of the human experience.

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James Ensor

Chaumières, 1888

29.5 x 20 cm

Language & Currency

James Ensor