Léon Spilliaert, Autoportrait au gilet jaune (Self-Portrait with Yellow Waistcoat), 1911 Graphite, watercolor, India ink, wash, brush, and gouache on paper Agnews Gallery Brussels
David Zwirner is pleased to present an exhibition of work by Belgian artist Léon Spilliaert (1881–1946) in collaboration with Agnews, Brussels. Best known for his works on paper, Spilliaert developed a unique vision characterized by its psychological intensity and aura of mystery over nearly fifty years.
Spilliaert's distinctive and highly enigmatic compositions reveal myriad inspirations—ranging from symbolist literature to the seaside city of Ostend, Belgium. Rarely working from a dedicated studio, and suffering from insomnia, Spilliaert skillfully mixed watercolor, gouache, pastel, ink, wash, colored pencil, and more on portable supports of paper, using various techniques to produce uniquely resplendent surfaces.
At David Zwirner Paris, a selection of work primarily dating to a highly productive period of the 1900s and 1910s showcases the depth of the artist's singular style. Among the earliest works on view are a selection of still lifes depicting flasks and jars in close view, characterized by their reflective surfaces that negotiate transparent and opaque qualities.
