Born in Belgium to English parents, Ensor attended the Academie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels between 1877 and 1880. During this period, he befriended artists such as Mellery and Finch while engaging with radical literary and political circles. His early career proved turbulent, marked by a rejection from the Antwerp Salon in 1882, though he found success in Paris during the same year. He became a founder member of the artistic group Les XX, although his relationship with the collective grew strained over time.

Despite initial ridicule from contemporary critics, Ensor eventually achieved status as the highest paid artist in Belgium. His unconventional approach to painting influenced the development of both expressionism and surrealism. From 1893, he exhibited regularly at the Libre Esthetique, allowing his reputation to expand across international borders until his death in 1949.