Detail of Masks Confronting Death by James Ensor in MoMA, August 2010

James Ensor
Masks Confronting Death
1888

Medium: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: 32 x 39 1/2" (81.3 x 100.3 cm)

Credit: Mrs. Simon Guggenheim Fund

Object number: 505.1951

Department: Painting and Sculpture


A group of masked figures confronts the figure of Death, centrally situated and draped in white, a color that infiltrates the entire picture. Composed of masks adorned with drapery, hats, and even blue glasses, the arrangement of figures recalls Ensor's earlier still-life compositions. The ubiquitous masks in Ensor's work were likely based on those sold in his family's curiosity shop a few floors below his studio. He explained, "The mask means to me: freshness of color, sumptuous decoration, wild unexpected gestures, very shrill expressions, exquisite turbulence." In this painting, the fantastical masked inventions appear to come alive and challenge Death—perhaps a reflection of the artist's preoccupation with mortality and his hope that he might prevail against its inevitable dominion.

Gallery label from James Ensor, June 28–September 21, 2009.



Text from: www.moma.org/collection/works/79855