Léon Spilliaert

The works of Léon Spilliaert (Ostend 1881-Brussels 1946) fascinate for the mystery of their images. His drawings explore the solitude of human beings and of the sea’s immensity. He evokes the life of various locations around his hometown of Ostend, and of objects drawn from his everyday life. His striking self-portraits translate the anguished plumbing of his deepest depths. His creations reflect a spirit of reflection and spiritual meditation, which he exercises by surveying the symbols of nature’s timelessness. This publication presents 21 works, intimately revealing his searches and studies, and directly provided by his family.

The catalogue also provides an overview of the history of the discovery of Spilliaert’s oeuvre in Belgium and abroad, and situates his body of work within a wider context of the art of his time. It presents a unique interview with his grandson, as well as brief chapters retracing the singular artistic contributions of the presented works.

With texts by (the Spilliaert specialist) Anne Adriaens-Pannier, Edouard Derom and Jeffery Howe, as well as an interview with Spilliaert’s grandson, Johan van Rossum.