La visite de Saint-Nicolas 1918

"La visite de Saint-Nicolas" (1918) by Léon Spilliaert, a Belgian symbolist artist, portrays a scene with a sense of isolation and mystery. The figure of Saint Nicolas, on a donkey, appears to be visiting a house in a small town, while a child reaches out with outstretched arms, perhaps a child in the town longing for the saint's arrival. The artwork is rendered in a simple, expressive style, with the use of stark lines and shading. The overall effect is melancholic and poignant, reflecting the anxieties of the post-war era.