Het huis genaamd ‘De Preekstoel’ te Oostende 1911

This building in pastel was made by James Ensor sometime in his career, although we don’t know exactly when. The way Ensor has captured this corner reminds me of being a kid – that feeling of the world tilting, when your senses are heightened and everything feels a little off-kilter. Ensor was a wild one. I bet he approached this scene with a mischievous glint in his eye, eager to bend the rules of perspective and see what might emerge. The textures created by the pastel are amazing, aren't they? Look at the walls, the roof, the street; they're all built up with these tiny, vibrating strokes, like the whole scene is buzzing with energy. Then, there's that figure sitting in the doorway, all in blue, like some kind of impish spirit guarding the threshold. This piece reminds us that art isn't about capturing reality. It's about capturing a feeling, a mood, a way of seeing the world that's unique to the artist – and to each of us.