50th Death Anniversary of James Ensor

James Sidney Edouard, Baron Ensor (13 April 1860 – 19 November 1949) was a Belgian painter and printmaker, an important influence onexpressionism and surrealism who lived in Ostend for almost his entire life. He was associated with the artistic group Les XX.

The stamp on the cover is titled "The Oyster Eater".  This is one of the main works in the Royal Museum's prominent Ensor collection. It represents a sunny dining room, with a table laid for two, and a young woman who is about to eat an oyster. With The Oyster eater, the young James Ensor continued the series that he had dubbed The Bourgeois Salon, and which consisted in snapshots from the life of the small-town bourgeoisie. In this painting he used bright colours. The red, yellow and orange hues enhance the illusion of sunlight. 
It was Ensor's intention to enter The Oyster-eater in the 1882 edition of the three-yearly art exhibition in Antwerp, but the organisers rejected it. So too did 'L'Essor', an exhibition association comprised of graduates of the Brussels academy. Apparently the art circles of the day were not ready for Ensor's revolutionary genius. This prompted Ensor and some of the more progressive members of 'L'Essor' to establish 'Les XX', a group that was more than happy to showcase unconventional work such as The Oyster eater. The Belgian artist, James Ensor, was deeply rooted in his country and its artistic tradition.  Ensor’s work is noted for its important role in the development of modern art.

The FDC is postmarked in Ostend, Belgium. James Ensor was born in Ostend. To Belgians the most famous Ostendais of them all remains painter James Ensor who spent most of his life here.

Thank you Maria for this lovely FDC.