Ensor is regarded a precursor of Expressionism and Surrealism. His paintings and drawings often feature monsters, demons and masked figures. This is his way of depicting the fears and threats of his time and the hypocrisy and narrow-mindedness of the people. This painting, with its candy cane pink carnival-like atmosphere and the swarming mass of people, shows his imaginative spirit. The party is in full swing but suddenly death strikes. The cheerful colours contrast sharply with the cruel depiction. The drama is enhanced by the short lines Ensor used to paint the scene. This contributes greatly to the dynamics of the painting.
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