Peculiar insects

In one of the many gatherings at the home of Ernest Roussau, a verse from Heinrich Heine's 'Les caprices des amoureux' is read out, describing the love of a beetle for a fly. Ensor has depicted this verse. The dragonfly with the head of Mariette Rousseau looks towards the beetle with the head of James Ensor. This print reveals Ensor's feelings for Mariette.