Landschap met rode dak 1926

Léon Spilliaert made this painting, *Landschap met rode dak,* with oils, and what strikes me is its moody, almost theatrical use of light and shadow. The paint is applied in these broad, flat areas, almost like a stage set. The red roof is the focal point, isn’t it? Such an assertive splash of color against the muted greens and grays. Look closely, and you can see how the brushstrokes follow the form of the roof, yet the paint is thin, washy. It’s as if Spilliaert is capturing a fleeting moment, a memory half-seen. The dark lines of the road draw you in. They remind me of Egon Schiele, maybe its the same vulnerability, a sense of the world closing in. Art’s a funny thing, isn’t it? It’s not about answers, but about creating a space for questions, for feelings, for seeing the world in a slightly different way.