The Intrigue (Ensor)
James Ensor · 1880
Why it's great
A group of grinning people in masks and costumes crowd a small room, with strange, funny faces. James Ensor painted the masks of carnival in Ostend, Belgium, when he was young. He found masks to be both fun and creepy. It's an early, striking picture.
Where to see it
📍 Royal Museum of Fine Arts AntwerpAntwerp, Belgium
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
James Ensor was born in Ostend, Belgium, and lived there nearly his whole life. He painted bizarre carnival masks, skeletons, and crowds in bright, shocking colors. His strange work was ahead of its time, and he became a hero for modern artists. He died in Ostend in 1949.
