De vuurtoren van Oostende bij zonsopgang 1909

Léon Spilliaert made this pastel drawing of the Oostende lighthouse. The hazy atmospheric effect comes from the softness of the pastel medium, which Spilliaert has layered to give the sky depth and movement. Rather than using precise lines, he's worked the pigment into the paper, creating a sort of dreamlike rendering of the scene. But there's more than just artistry going on here. Lighthouses have long been potent symbols, representing progress, guidance, and safety. The clean lines of the structure suggest industrialization, yet the somewhat unsettling calm creates a tension that invites contemplation. Ultimately, the drawing is a reminder that there are no clear divisions between art, craft and the wider world around us.