The Skate 1880

James Ensor painted 'The Skate' using oil on canvas, a choice that positions the artwork in a long history of European still life. But it’s how he uses the material that gives the painting its unsettling character. Ensor’s thick, almost aggressive brushstrokes capture the texture and weight of the dead fish, straw, and basket. His interest in the materiality of paint mirrors the fishmonger's concern with the raw material of their trade. It’s a scene of everyday labour, but removed from the busy market, devoid of human presence. The labour and effort involved in catching, transporting, and selling the skate are implicit, even as the painting focuses on its silent, final presentation. Ultimately, Ensor elevates this mundane scene, traditionally deemed of lower status in art, through his vigorous engagement with the material of paint itself. This approach challenges conventional hierarchies between subject matter and artistic technique, highlighting the dignity of labor and the inherent beauty in the materials of everyday life.