Culture List

James Ensor-esque Masks

By Carrie Tucker

The depiction of grotesque masks in marginalized Belgian painter James Ensor's work served many purposes: humor, social commentary, and of course, death. Inspired by Ensor's Summer 2009 retrospective at MOMA, here's our list of some of the best usages of masks ever.

CRITICAL LIST

Abre Los Ojos

Feature Film Alejandro Amenábar

The Masque of the Red Death

Short Story Edgar Allan Poe

Stephen King's It

Feature Film Tommy Lee Wallace

The King of Masks

Feature Film Wu Tianming

V For Vendetta

Comic Book Series Alan Moore

Blood and Black Lace

Feature Film Mario Bava

Alice Sweet Alice

Feature Film Alfred Sole

The Mask

Comic Book Series John Arcudi

Phantom of the Paradise

Album Brian De Palma

Deep Cuts

Album The Knife