James Ensor (1860–1949) was one of Belgium's most original Symbolist painters and a significant forerunner of modern art. Born in Ostend, where he spent most of his life, Ensor developed a distinctive visual language characterized by grotesque masks, skeletons, and fantastical scenes. His work often satirized religious hypocrisy, social conventions, and political absurdities. Among his most famous paintings is Christ's Entry Into Brussels in 1889, a monumental and provocative piece that anticipated both Expressionism and Surrealism. Ensor’s bold use of color and his imaginative compositions had a profound impact on 20th-century art.