Christus in de schuit 1898

James Ensor made this etching, titled 'Christus in de schuit', during a time of immense social change in Belgium, with the rise of industrialization and growing class consciousness. Look closely, and you'll see Christ on a small boat in the middle of what appears to be a storm. Ensor often used religious imagery to critique societal norms and explore themes of power, authority, and the individual’s place in the world. The etching is rendered with sharp, agitated lines. The figures in the boat, seemingly at the mercy of the elements, might be seen as a reflection on the vulnerability of humanity. The turbulent sea and sky could symbolize the political and social upheavals of the time. Ensor wrote about his art as an attempt to penetrate beyond the surface of appearances to the ‘unseen worlds’ beneath. In this work, he confronts us with an emotionally and spiritually charged scene. It resonates as both a personal statement and a commentary on the collective human condition.