James Ensor – a famous and controversial figure, a precursor of Symbolism and Expressionism. His artistic interests revolved around the printing techniques, while the works were permeated with a number of diverse motifs.

Skeletons, demons, obscure figures in masks, gloomy creatures – such and other figures populate Ensor’s art. The blasphemous images stand in contrast to the poetic mood and allure of seascapes from Ostenda – the place of Ensor’s birth.

The International Cultural Centre presentation of Ensor’s prints was the first of its scope in Poland. The exhibition was further fleshed out with oil paintings and drawings from the private collections, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp and the collection of the KBC Bank in Brussels.

Krakow exhibition is a hit (…). Its design is clear and discreetly decorative. The authors (…) deserve all kinds of praise. (…) Suggestiveness of Ensor’s vision does not allow anybody to remain indifferent, while the magic of his name lures the visitors – it’s been quite some time since the International Cultural Centre drew such huge audiences. [City Magazine, August 2002]