Zonderlinge insecten 1888

James Ensor made "Zonderlinge insecten," or "Strange Insects," as a drypoint etching, a printmaking technique, around the turn of the century. Ensor, who lived through considerable social change in Belgium, had a unique view of the world. In this fantastical scene, Ensor merges the human with the insect world, perhaps reflecting anxieties about societal transformation. A woman with dragonfly wings stands beside a beetle with a human face. Are they monstrous, or simply 'other'? The setting itself is ambiguous, blurring the lines between interior and exterior space. Ensor’s work often challenged the prevailing norms, and he once said, “My intention has always been to dig, to try to discover the sources of hidden life.” Here, the artist asks us to consider those on the margins, those who challenge the status quo. By giving visibility to the ‘strange,’ Ensor pushes us to reflect on our own perceptions.