August 01, 2016

Leon Spilliaert's house in Ostend



 
Ostend is not only the birthplace of James Ensor. The Spilliaert house opened in Ostend in the beginning of May and will undoubtedly revitalise interest in the painter. The idea is to bring more works of Spilliaert to the public attention and eventually to become a place for research and rediscovery of the painter. 
"Spilliaert was born in Ostend, the oldest of seven children of Léonard-Hubert Spilliaert, who was a perfumer, and Léonie (née Jonckheere).From childhood, he displayed an interest in art and drawing. A prolific doodler and autodidact, he was predominantly a self-taught artist. Sickly and reclusive, he spent most of his youth sketching scenes of ordinary life and the Belgian countryside. When he was 21, he went to work in Brussels for Edmond Deman, a publisher of the works of symbolist writers, which Spilliaert was to illustrate. He especially admired the work of Edgar Allan Poe.Watercolorgouachepastel, and charcoal—often in combination—were the means by which he produced many of his best works, among which are a number of monochrome self-portraits executed in the early years of the twentieth century. Spilliaert's expressive use of black finds parallels in the work of Odilon Redon, who was a significant influence.[2] Frequently depicting a lone figure in a dreamlike space, Spilliaert's paintings convey a sense of melancholy and silence. His later work shows a concentration on seascapes. He died on 23 November 1946 in Brussels."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Léon_Spilliaert
http://www.onserfdeel.be/frontend/files/userfiles/files/TLC_1998_Palmer_Spilliaert.pdf

5 comments:

  1. indeed, Oostende is a 'rich' place with such prominent artists having lived there.

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    1. really enjoyed my visit to your hometown, pieterbie.

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  2. You have kindled my interest in this painter. I find the paintings you photoed quite stark but very compelling.

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    1. delighted to introduce you to 'our' Spilliaert, Kate.

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  3. I didn't know the painter before. Thanks for sharing this. Another reason to go to Ostende.

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