Zwanen 1904

Léon Spilliaert made this drawing of swans with ink, gouache, and crayon. It's like he's using these materials to catch a glimpse of a moment, not to nail it down. There’s a feeling of immediacy, like a sketch, but also a deliberate composition. The swans themselves are like pale, floating shapes against the dark, rhythmic water. The lines are economical but descriptive, they evoke the texture of feathers and the movement of water with an almost calligraphic quality. The dark water, rendered in thick, flowing lines, contrasts with the flatness of the swans' bodies. Look at the way he captures the reflection of light on the water – it’s not about realism, it's more about a feeling. The drawing reminds me a bit of Odilon Redon, especially in the way it uses a limited palette to create a dreamlike atmosphere. It’s like Spilliaert is showing us that art isn't about answers, it's about the questions we ask along the way.