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James Ensor, full name James Sidney Edouard Ensor, was a Belgian painter and printmaker born in Ostend on April 13, 1860, and died there on November 29, 1949. He is regarded as a central figure in Belgian art at the turn of the 20th century and is considered a precursor of Expressionism and Surrealism.

Ensor spent most of his life in Ostend, with his work circulating through Brussels and other European centers. He produced a large body of paintings and drawings that commonly feature carnival masks, grotesque figures, and scenes from everyday life, often rendered with satirical humor and social critique. A hallmark of his output is the frequent inclusion of death imagery, crowds, and ritualized performances, which he used to challenge authority, hypocrisy, and social norms.

One of Ensor’s best-known works is Christ's Entry into Brussels in 1889, which presents a sacred procession overwhelmed by a chaotic, masked crowd. His style is characterized by stark contrasts, vivid color, and bold, often tactile brushwork that can verge on the grotesque. Although his early reputation was limited, he gained broader recognition in the early 20th century and is now celebrated as an important innovator in modern Belgian art.

Ensor’s works are held in major museums and collections around the world, with important holdings at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium and in Ostend, where a dedicated museum and house preserve aspects of his life and oeuvre.