Haven te Oostende 1910

Here, Léon Spilliaert made a watercolour painting of Haven te Oostende, in which the muted colors create a dreamy, almost melancholic mood. The pale washes of color, applied in thin layers, allow the paper to breathe, creating a sense of light and air. Look at the way the water is rendered with horizontal strokes that ripple and undulate, suggesting movement and reflection. The palette is restrained: a mix of greys, greens, and creams that evoke the somber atmosphere of a northern port. The pier on the right is given a simple graphic treatment that emphasizes the horizontality of the whole. Spilliaert's paintings often capture the stark beauty of the Belgian coast, with its endless horizons and solitary figures. Think also of Edward Hopper’s American scenes or perhaps even some of Giorgio Morandi’s still life paintings, where simple forms are imbued with a quiet, contemplative spirit. Art is always talking to itself and looking for new ways to experience the world.