Contributors:

The TMBG FAQ

Jonathan Chaffer

James Ensor was, indeed, a famous Belgian painter. John learned about him in art history class in college, and was inspired by his paintings enough to write the song. "Dig him up and shake his hand" refers not only to the fact he's dead, but also to a painting of his titled "Self Portrait in 1970" which was a picture of a skeleton. "The Torments of Christ" was another of his paintings.