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Ostend, July 28, 1881 – Brussels, November 23, 1946
One of the foremost Belgian visual artists from the first half of the twentieth century. He was active as a drawer, illustrator, lithographer, and painter. He was a friend of Constant Permeke, which is also evident in the mutual influence between both painters. His father Leonard-Hubert ran a barbershop and perfumery in the Kapellestraat and created his own perfumes such as Brise d’Ostende.
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Léon Spilliaert was a groundbreaking and visionary artist who questioned the artistic conventions of his time. His paintings are known for the emotion and mood he conveys in his works.
Location to visit:
Léon Spilliaertstraat, Ostend
Imagine: you’re walking past the window of the information office and suddenly you see yourself – not just your own reflection, but a portrait in the style of Spilliaert, as if you’ve just been captured on canvas by the artist himself. Thanks to a smart video filter, your image is transformed in real time into a mysterious work of art, displayed in a beautifully framed setting.
© Commons Wikimedia
© Commons Wikimedia
Want to dive even deeper? In the information office of Tourism Ostend, a fascinating, interactive installation awaits that fully immerses you in Spilliaert’s world. Through advanced hologram technology, you see the artist come to life. His self-portraits magically flow into one another, as if you’re having a conversation with Spilliaert himself while wandering through his Ostend.
© Commons Wikimedia
© Commons Wikimedia
In 1935, Léon Spilliaert, the famous Ostend artist, faces a significant change in his life. He and his family are about to move to Brussels, but before he bids farewell to his beloved birthplace, he takes one last walk through Ostend. This journey, now brought back to life in the art walk via the Ostend City Walks app, is a unique opportunity to walk along through Spilliaert’s own eyes.
Whether you’re an art lover, an Ostend resident, or simply curious about Spilliaert’s life, this walk offers an engaging and relatable experience for everyone. The art walk is more than a tribute to Spilliaert; it’s a time travel through his Ostend, where art, memory, and city seamlessly intertwine.
The famous Ostend artist Léon Spilliaert is known for his enigmatic works. But what if you could enter his world yourself? In Ostend, an innovative installation offers you that chance: a unique experience where you can see the city and art through Spilliaert’s eyes.
