Capture of a strange town, 1888

Etching on cream paper, copper plate - hand signed and titled by the artist - A signature on plate in small letters on the back of a figure at the bottom right. - A second signature on plate in small letters is engraved with drypoint on the base of the colonnade and erased. // James Ensor's 'Capture of a Strange Town' is an 1888 etching that exhibits his intricate and fantastical style. The artwork depicts a bustling, dreamlike cityscape filled with classical architecture, domes, colonnades, and towering structures. A large crowd, seemingly gathered for a grand spectacle or event, fills the foreground, their detailed forms almost blending into the architecture. The scene is infused with surreal, almost chaotic energy, as beams of light radiate dramatically across the sky, highlighting various structures and adding a sense of otherworldliness to the composition. The intricate line work, typical of Ensor's etchings, creates a dense, detailed scene, where human figures and monumental buildings coexist in a surreal, almost theatrical environment. This work reflects Ensor’s fascination with satire, mystery, and the blending of reality with fantasy.