Christ's Entry Into Brussels in 1889

This scandalous painting shows us an imagined image of Christ entering Brussels. We can barely see him through all of the commotion. Ensor used the New Testament’s description of the arrival of Christ to Jerusalem and transformed the story to this painting depicting some kind of masquerade. People are chanting, dancing, arguing, kissing, and greeting each other. Their banners are saying for slogans such as, “Colman's mustard,” “The butchers of Jerusalem,” “The grateful Samaritan” or “Long live welfare.” In these slogans, we can see the whole cross-section of the XIX century society’s beliefs and desires. The twist lies in the figure of Christ which is depicted as Ensor himself.