Rue du Bon Secrous, Brussels 1887

James Ensor made this print, Rue du Bon Secours, Brussels, using etching, a technique that mirrored the detailed, linear qualities he admired in older engravings. Ensor was a critical figure, living through a time of immense social change and conflict, he witnessed the rise of industrialization, class struggles, and the unmasking of societal hypocrisy. Although associated with the avant-garde, Ensor remained deeply rooted in his Belgian identity, often turning to his immediate surroundings for inspiration. In this work, we see the street on which he lived and worked. Here the city is not a modern, bustling metropolis, but a place of almost claustrophobic intimacy. The viewpoint invites us into the close quarters of 19th century Brussels. The muted tones and dense linework lend a melancholic air to the scene. The streetscape seems to reflect a society caught between tradition and modernity, progress and stagnation. Ensor used his art to explore and critique the world around him, using his unique visual language to challenge viewers to see beyond the surface.