The Fight 1925

James Ensor made this painting, The Fight, with what looks like oil on canvas, and it really throws you into the middle of the action. Ensor’s marks are really loose, almost scribbled, and the colors are acidic, like a bad dream. Look at the two figures in the center, locked in this weird embrace, or fight. The one in blue, his pants all swirly lines, and the red guy, yikes, he’s a patchwork of color. The way Ensor handles paint feels totally un-precious. It’s like he’s saying, “Here’s the mess, deal with it.” Then you notice the figures in the background, lurking, each with their own weapon. It’s like a bizarre Punch and Judy show, full of manic energy. Ensor is an interesting guy, and I can see echoes of him in someone like Francis Bacon. Both unafraid to push things into uncomfortable places, and remind us that art isn’t always supposed to be pretty; sometimes it’s there to get under your skin.