Art: Shrill Entry

Belgium's most famous modern artist, Baron James Ensor, was 89 when he died last year. He had crammed his house with souvenirs that ranged from a cigar butt once left there by Belgium's King Albert to a great painting done by Ensor himself 62 years ago: The Entry of Christ into Brussels.

The picture had so shocked his contemporaries that they refused to exhibit it even in avant-garde shows. Ensor resolved to enjoy his masterpiece himself, hung it in an upstairs room and admired it daily. Publicly shown for the first time in 1929, it was hailed as a brilliant "expressionist" picture...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!