Léon Spilliaert

The Belgian painter, draughtsman, illustrator and lithographer Léon Spilliaert (1881–1946) developed a body of work in which night, empty expanses and self-portraiture occupy a central place. Born in Ostend on 28 July 1881, he died in Ixelles on 23 November 1946. After a few months at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bruges in 1899, he pursued his training mainly as a self-taught artist. In his works from before the First World War, night remained a major motif, even when scenes take place during the day; human figures are often absent or reduced to silhouettes. Broad beaches and open seascapes feature alongside, in his early years, a series of self-portraits marked by the play of shadows.

Between 1903 and 1908, he produced many self-portraits. An Autoportrait from around 1907, Indian ink wash and brush on paper, is an example in a compact format. La Buveuse d’absinthe, dated 1907 and held at the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent, combines watercolour, gouache, Indian ink, wash and pastel on paper. In Digue la nuit. Reflets de lumière (1908), held at the Musée d’Orsay, Indian ink wash, brush and coloured pencil also make up a work on paper. Works are also held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the musée d’Art à la mer in Ostend, where La Rafale de vent (1904) and Autoportrait au miroir (1908) are among the works held.

From 1902, Spilliaert worked for the Brussels publisher Edmond Deman, initially on a trial basis and then, from 1903, permanently as a salesperson and public relations officer. A stay in Paris in 1904 allowed him to meet Émile Verhaeren, Stefan Zweig and Franz Hellens. Returning to Ostend in November, he joined the De Dageraad reading and art circle as an associate member. In 1908, following the publication of the first article devoted to his work, his works were presented at the summer exhibition at the Kursaal in Ostend. He took part in several artistic circles, including Les Indépendants and Kunst van Heden, and was also part of the group associated with the gallery Le Centaure.

After marrying Rachel Vergison, he moved with her to Brussels in March 1917; their daughter Madeleine was born in November of the same year. According to the Lancz Gallery biography, he returned to settle in Ostend with his family in May 1922. After the First World War, his practice changed; his palette became lighter after his meeting with Rachel Vergison. In 1932, a state travel grant enabled him to travel through Italy, Switzerland and Austria with his wife and daughter.

Works recorded at auction

Lempertz · Lot 151

Les Cavaliers dans la neige

Gouache

Original catalogue wording

Les Cavaliers dans la neige
gouache

Auction date : 2025-05-31

Published result : 57960 EUR

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : 18000

View the lot at the auction house ↗