The Scavenger
Artist / maker
James Ensor (etchers)Date
1896Period
19th centuryCollection
Museum of Fine Arts Ghent
Ensor repeatedly used popular life in Ostend as a subject in paintings, drawings and etchings. He was intrigued by life in the harbour town, and in his work the artist openly sympathised with the poor, homeless and tramps, who were hidden from the sight of tourists by the local authorities as much as possible. Several prints bear witness to Ensor's…
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Ensor repeatedly used popular life in Ostend as a subject in paintings, drawings and etchings. He was intrigued by life in the harbour town, and in his work the artist openly sympathised with the poor, homeless and tramps, who were hidden from the sight of tourists by the local authorities as much as possible. Several prints bear witness to Ensor's sympathy for these pariahs of society: "Sick Wretch Warming Himself", "The Scavenger", "The Fight" and "The Scoundrels" (respectively inv. 1998-B-91, B-106, B-107 and B-108).
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