Les trois figures 

Léon Spilliaert created this haunting image, ‘Les trois figures,’ using ink, gouache, and pastel. The somber attire of these figures immediately recalls a sense of mourning. Black, often a symbol of grief and solemnity, envelops the figures, their faces emerging from the darkness. The arrangement of three figures is particularly evocative, echoing the ancient motif of the Three Fates, goddesses who controlled the thread of life. In classical art, they determine destiny, but here, they seem to preside over a scene of quiet despair. Consider the recurring motif of veiled figures throughout history, from ancient Roman funerary art to medieval depictions of the Virgin Mary. The veil conceals and reveals, suggesting both mystery and sorrow. The emotional power of the image lies in its ability to tap into our collective memory of loss and the unknown, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. These symbols have resurfaced and evolved, taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.