Belgian, 1860–1949
James Ensor
724results on record
87%sell-through
$6,436median result (USD, incl. premium; 98% observed, 2% estimated from hammer)
$7,894,598record in our coverage
Drawn from 724 recorded results (707 sold · 17 passed) across 20 auction houses, 1998–2026. What we cover
Median sold price by year typical estimate range median result USD, incl. premium; 98% observed, 2% estimated from hammer method · log scale
Where does a value land in this market?
Every sold result for this market, low to high (log scale) — the dashed line is the median. Enter a value to see where it lands.
By medium where medium is recorded or stated in the catalog line
| Medium | Results | Sell-through | Median result (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| prints | 387 | 100% | $4,869 |
| works on paper | 72 | 67% | $10,392 |
| painting | 56 | 83% | $196,367 |
| other | 13 | 100% | $2,078 |
| sculpture | 9 | 75% | $7,312 |
| ceramics & design | 4 | 100% | $18,816 |
Medium is recorded for 541 of 724 results (75%) — rows above cover that subset; the rest of the record is in the full ledger below.
Compared with Pablo Picasso James Ensor Pablo Picasso
| Metric | James Ensor | Pablo Picasso |
|---|---|---|
| Median result | $6,436 | $10,507 |
| Record price | $7,894,598 | $179,365,000 |
| Results on record | 724 | 29,706 |
| Years active at auction | 1998–2026 | 1998–2026 |
Related artists: Pablo PicassoMarc ChagallJoan MiróHenri Matisse
Market strength liquidity score, 0–100 · method
84/ 100
- Sell-through87%
- Meets estimate74%
- Market depth724 results
How readily and near-estimate this market clears — sell-through, estimate reliability, and depth, blended into one score. "Meets estimate" is the share of sold lots hammering at or above the low estimate, over catalogs that print a real appraisal: a house whose printed low is a starting bid would meet its estimate on every lot, so those lots are excluded from this term only — their prices and outcomes still count in the other two. Method →
Where this artist sells best
| House | Results | Sell-through | Median | vs. estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christie's | 363 | 80% | $7,274 | — |
| Sotheby's | 265 | 86% | $6,204 | 0.96× |
| Bonhams | 32 | 88% | $2,995 | 0.92× |
| Phillips | 14 | 86% | $2,922 | — |
| Heritage Auctions | 9 | 100% | $2,750 | — |
| Grisebach | 7 | — | $6,804 | — |
| Carlo Bonte Auctions | 6 | 100% | $4,648 | 1.29× |
| Lempertz | 4 | 100% | $6,057 | — |
| Freeman's | Hindman | 4 | 100% | $5,130 | 1.10× |
| Ketterer Kunst | 4 | — | $3,269 | — |
| Koller | 3 | — | $16,753 | — |
| Dorotheum | 4 | 75% | $2,866 | — |
| Artcurial | 2 | — | $130,911 | 1.25× |
| Ostantix Auctions | 2 | 100% | $3,339 | 2.09× |
| Dewit Auctions | 3 | 67% | $489 | 1.20× |
| Rago | 2 | 50% | $1,890 | — |
| Wright | 1 | 100% | $2,933 | — |
| Galerie Bassenge | 1 | — | $455 | — |
| Hammersite | 1 | 100% | $1,750 | 0.80× |
| Tiroche | 1 | 0% | — | — |
The same artist across every house we cover — hammer-vs-estimate side by side. A dash in the estimate column can mean withheld rather than unpublished: the house publishes no hammer price, or its printed low is a starting bid rather than an appraisal. Method →
Prices realized 728 recorded lots — sold, passed, and upcoming — results in USD incl. premium; est. marks a premium estimated from the house's schedule ✓ Includes 17 passed lots
| Date | Lot | Medium | vs. estimate | Estimate USD | Result USD, incl. premium | House |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 realized prices on this page are locked. A Research Pass reads 50 of them for $39, once — buy a pass | ||||||
| 2004·09 | la Cathédrale | $1,154–$1,385 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Menu pour Ernest Rousseau | $288–$346 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Candélabre et vase | $346–$404 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Femme Au Chat Observée Par Des Masques | $4,616–$6,923 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Maisonnettes à Mariakerke | $346–$404 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Profil d'homme | $1,731–$2,077 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Fruits | $34,617–$46,156 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | l'Acacia | $231–$288 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | La Tentation du Christ | $346–$462 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Fridolin et Gragapanca d'Yperdamme | $577–$808 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Mon portrait en 1960 | $462–$577 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Les gendarmes | $346–$462 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Chimère | $462–$692 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Barques échouées | $462–$692 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Les vieux polissons | $577–$692 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | L'Adoration des Bergers | $577–$692 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Rue du Bon Secours à Bruxelles | $462–$577 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Chaumières | $462–$577 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Les Patineurs | $808–$1,039 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Masques intrigués | $808–$1,039 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Coquillages, tangara et vase | $17,308–$23,078 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Le Christ tourmenté par les démons | $692–$923 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | La Colère | $808–$1,039 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Maison du boulevard Anspach | $462–$577 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Sentier à Groenendael | épreuve du premier état sur deux, avant la date, gravée dans le cuivre | $404–$519 | Sotheby's | ||
| 2004·09 | L'Orage | $346–$462 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Pêcheur d'Ostende | $346–$462 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Étude de personnages | $2,885–$4,039 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Vue d'Ostende à l'Est | $577–$692 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | La Gourmandise | $692–$923 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Sentier à Groenendael | $346–$462 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·09 | Boulevard San Iseghem, Ostende | $462–$692 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·07 | la mort poursuivant le troupeau humain (e.106) | $5,393–$6,742 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·07 | view of ostende to the east (elesch 40) | $3,371–$4,045 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·07 | mon pere mort; les masques scandalisés; les vieux... polissons; le vidangeur; and le combat (e.35; 101; 104; 108; and 109) | $5,393–$6,742 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·06 | la nuit de walpurgis | $80,900–$107,866 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·06 | Verre de vin rouge, fraises et cerises | oil on panel | $134,833–$202,249 | Christie's | ||
| 2004·06 | Mercury | black chalk on paper | $4,616–$6,923 | Christie's | ||
| 2004·06 | la cuvette | $6,923–$9,231 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·05 | cathedral (taevernier 7) | $3,000–$5,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2004·02 | La charge des Walkyries | oil on canvas | $94,383–$134,833 | Christie's | ||
| 2004·02 | Chou rouge et masques | oil on canvas | $134,833–$202,249 | Christie's | ||
| 2004·02 | Les bons juges | oil on panel | $674,165–$943,830 | Christie's | ||
| 2003·12 | mon portrait en 1960 (e. 34) | $3,231–$3,923 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·12 | Death Pursuing the Flock of Humans (E. 106) | $6,742–$9,438 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·12 | the cathedral (elesh 7) | $5,885–$6,808 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·12 | Accessoires | $6,923–$9,231 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·11 | (1860-1949) | drypoint, 1895, on | $1,079–$1,618 | Christie's | ||
| 2003·11 | La vente | $1,731–$2,308 | Christie's | |||
| 2003·11 | Bateaux au Soleil | $70,000–$90,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·11 | the bad doctors (t. 97) | $3,000–$4,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·11 | the entry of christ into brussels (t. 114) | $2,000–$3,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·11 | wizards in a squall (t. 52) | $3,000–$4,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·11 | ernest rousseau; breakwater; house on boulevard anspach; and chimera (taevernier 11, 14, 20, and 25) | $3,000–$4,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·11 | ships aground; steam-boats; fisherman of ostend; and beach at la panne (t. 49, 64, 118, and 129) | $2,400–$2,800 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·11 | lust; gamblers; and sloth (t. 59, 93, and 119) | $2,600–$3,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·11 | roman victory; battle of the golden spurs; the combat; and menu for charles vos (t. 78, 96, 107, and 110) | $2,600–$3,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·11 | boulevard van iseghem, ostend; the windmill at mariakerke; and the music in the rue de flandre, ostend (t. 66, 71, and 83) | $2,800–$3,200 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·11 | the old...rascals; christ and the beggars; and napoleon's farewell (t. 101, 102, and 111) | $3,000–$4,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·11 | view of nieuport; my dead father; cataclysms; and group of trees (t. 30, 35, 37, and 41) | $1,500–$2,500 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·11 | the elephant's joke (t. 51) | $2,000–$3,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·11 | lust (t. 59) | $6,000–$8,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·11 | hop frog's revenge (t. 112) | $3,000–$4,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·11 | fridolin and gragapança of yperdamme; king pest; and the queen parysatis (t. 95, 100, and 116) | $3,000–$4,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·11 | fantastic ball (t. 11) | $2,000–$3,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·07 | L'Orgueil (Pride) (Tavernier 122; Elesh 127) | $1,348–$2,022 | Christie's | |||
| 2003·05 | wizards in a squall (t. 52) | $3,000–$4,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2003·02 | Masques regardant une tortue | $67,416–$107,866 | Christie's | |||
| 2002·12 | Les Péchés Capitaux dominés par la Mort (Delteil, Taevernier 126; Elesh 131) | etching and drypoint with extensive hand-colouring in watercolour, 1904, on | $5,393–$8,090 | Christie's | ||
| 2002·12 | Le Bal fantastique (T., E. 75) | $5,393–$8,090 | Christie's | |||
| 2002·12 | Le Pecheur - The fisherman | $17,308–$23,078 | Christie's | |||
| 2002·11 | La mort poursuivant le troupeau des humains (E. 106) | $2,500–$3,500 | Christie's | |||
| 2002·09 | Figure studies | $3,000–$4,000 | Christie's | |||
| 2002·09 | Beach at La Panne (Elesh 134) | $1,000–$1,500 | Christie's | |||
| 2002·09 | Peste dessous, Peste dessus, Peste partout (Elesh 132) | $4,045–$6,742 | Christie's | |||
| 2002·07 | Peste dessous, Peste dessus, Peste partout (E. 132) | $3,101–$3,775 | Christie's | |||
| 2002·07 | Le Combat des pouilleux Désir et Rissolé (Elesh 19) | $1,618–$2,427 | Christie's | |||
| 2002·07 | L'Entrée du Christ à Bruxelles (E. 118) | $13,483–$20,225 | Christie's | |||
| 2002·07 | Les Bains à Ostende (E. 120) | $6,742–$9,438 | Christie's | |||
| 2002·07 | Les mauvais Médecins (E. 99) | $4,045–$6,742 | Christie's | |||
| 2002·06 | Les pochards | $107,866–$161,799 | Christie's | |||
| 2002·04 | A still life with roses in a vase and chinoiseries on a draped table | $63,464–$86,542 | Christie's | |||
| 2002·01 | Mes Houris : A man smoking a cigar fantasising about women | $4,000–$6,000 | Unsold listing | Christie's | ||
| 2001·12 | Barques Echouées (Tavernier 49) | $1,039–$1,269 | Christie's | |||
| 2001·10 | (1860 - 1949) | $1,348–$2,022 | Christie's | |||
| 2001·10 | James Ensor | $539–$809 | Christie's | |||
| 2001·10 | James Ensor | $809–$1,079 | Christie's | |||
| 2001·06 | Le christ aux mendiants (T. 102) | $3,000–$5,000 | Christie's | |||
| 2001·06 | Portrait of Captain Borkman | $20,000–$30,000 | Christie's | |||
| 2001·06 | Ferme à Leffinge | $2,000–$2,500 | Christie's | |||
| 2001·06 | Le Crist tourmenté par les démons (T.94) | $4,000–$6,000 | Christie's | |||
| 2001·02 | Christ aux outrages | $10,787–$16,180 | Christie's | |||
| 2000·12 | The Multiplication of Fishes (D., T., E. 85) | $2,697–$3,371 | Christie's | |||
| 2000·12 | Iston, Pouffamatus, Cracozie and Transmouff, famous Persian Physians examining the Stools of King Darius after the Battle of Arabela (Delteil, Taevernier, Elsh, 6) | $1,618–$2,427 | Christie's | |||
| 2000·12 | Demons teasing me (D., T., E. 92) | $2,697–$4,045 | Christie's | |||
| 2000·12 | La Vengeance de Hop-Frog (D., T. 112; E. 115) | $12,135–$14,832 | Christie's | |||
| 2000·12 | Avarice: One Plate from Les Péchés capitaux (D., T.123; E. 128) | $1,348–$1,618 | Christie's | |||
| 2000·11 | Auto da fe (Tavernier 87) | $3,000–$5,000 | Christie's | |||
| 2000·10 | La pêche miraculeuse - The miraculous draught | $250,000–$350,000 | Christie's | |||
| 2000·10 | Figure study of a standing man | $70,000–$90,000 | Christie's | |||
Realized prices are sold by the record: 50 for $39, non-expiring. Reading them at volume is what Starter is for.