Back of a Chair 

James Ensor made this oil on canvas painting called 'Back of a Chair.' It is an unassuming scene, yet it presents a challenge to the values of the art institution. Ensor worked in Belgium, a nation undergoing rapid social and political change. Although this painting avoids any clear narrative or overt symbolism, it shares the artist's interests in representing the everyday. This focus was a rejection of the dominant academic style of the time that favored historical or mythological subjects. Instead, Ensor looked to the mundane, like a back of a chair. This choice could be read as a subtle critique of the art world's expectations, and its preference for grand subjects over the simple reality of modern life. Art historians often delve into artists' letters, exhibition reviews, and the broader cultural context to understand such challenges to artistic norms. This helps us to see how artists like Ensor played a role in shifting the boundaries of what was considered worthy of artistic attention.