The James Ensor museum is without a doubt one of the most fascinating museums in Ostend. Why? Because we experience much more than just looking at paintings. We literally step into Ensor's world. Discover why you should definitely visit the James Ensor House during your holiday on the Zeedijk.
James Ensor expert and Ostend artist Herr Seele will guide you through the James Ensor House.
The James Ensor House is the former home and studio of James Ensor, one of the most influential artists in Belgium. The house has a rich history and offers insight into the life and work of this artist.
Our ticket for the James Ensor House was quickly booked online. Just as quickly we entered his world: his very own house at Vlaanderenstraat 29 in Ostend.
During our museum visit to the house of painter James Ensor we discovered at least 3 reasons to visit this museum.
Reason 1. Step through the living room and master bedroom
James Ensor lived and worked in the building that is now the museum dedicated to the artist. During our visit, we do not simply walk across a museum floor. No, we walk across the wood that Ensor also wandered across. We take the stairs that the master also took. We dream away in his world.
We sit down at the dining table with a few of his special masked creations. We discover his bedroom. We see in which room the butler prepared the food and washed the dishes.
We look through the same perspective as Ensor through the skylight in his study. We see and experience where James Ensor's creativity originated.
Ensor lived in the house from 1917 until he died on November 19, 1949. Life and work flowed together for him. So yes, he worked there until his death.
The museum preserves the authentic atmosphere of James Ensor's house, including his studio. This gives us as visitors a unique opportunity to experience the environment in which the artist worked and lived.
You won't feel James Ensor so tangibly anywhere else. © Hans Hermans
Reason 2. Learn the man behind the painter Know James Ensor
James Ensor did not paint realistic portraits. His landscapes are not commonplace. His seascapes are particularly hilarious and different from what is painted then and today.
Consider his most famous works: The self-portrait with the flower hat, The painting skeleton and of course… The entry of Christ into Brussels
As a modernist painter, he shows us the world and people differently. His masks conceal the people behind them, but perhaps reveal more about those people than you might think at first glance.
This unusual painting style did not make it easy for Ensor. His art did not simply find its way to the art-loving rich of the time. He was not applauded. It was only much later that he was recognized as the most important innovator of modern art in Belgium.
As we wander through the mind of James Ensor, we learn to understand the extraordinary creativity of Belgium's greatest modernist.
We also learn how the man who is generally recognised as the most important innovator of modern art in Belgium was a deviant individualist who could not easily be classified into any one artistic direction.
The oddball is both known and seen in Ostend. As he withdraws into his home and himself.
Reason 3. Unlikely close to a impressive collection works of art
The permanent museum in Ostend houses an impressive collection of works of art by James Ensor, including paintings, drawings and graphic works.
In combination with personal stories, it is fun and captivatingly elaborated in the audio tour.
We get the chance to discover his diverse artistic talent and evolution as an artist under a giant reproduction of The Entry of Christ into Brussels.
Reason 3. Unlikely close to a impressive collection works of art
The permanent museum in Ostend houses an impressive collection of works of art by James Ensor, including paintings, drawings and graphic works.
In combination with personal stories, it is fun and captivatingly elaborated in the audio tour.
We get the chance to discover his diverse artistic talent and evolution as an artist under a giant reproduction of The Entry of Christ into Brussels.
James Ensor's World – video about his life
Admittedly. Many of the works on display in the museum are reproductions of the works that Ensor himself hung in his home. This means that we can look at them from a distance… and at the same time miss the exciting 'real'.
But there is a solution for that too. Because anyone who wants to visit the largest James Ensor collection in the world can do so in Belgium.
The Ensor collection is located just 120 km from us Holiday apartment with SEA VIEW for rent – SEAMORE – Zeedijk in Ostend
Take an afternoon and travel to the KMSKA. This is the renovated and beautiful museum of modern art in Antwerp. The collection that hangs there is called a goldmine by experts.
Enjoy it!
But you start at the James Ensor House in Ostend. It is the world's best place to celebrate his artistic legacy.