The Hearn Family Trust: A Legacy of Belgian Symbolism
| By Mireille Mosler
Based in New York, the Hearn Family Trust represents an extraordinary collection assembled by Charles Hack. The collection spans a wide range of art, from Renaissance bronzes and Old Master paintings to contemporary works, but its core lies in a remarkable focus on Belgian symbolism, with particular emphasis on the works of Fernand Khnopff (1858–1921) and Léon Spilliaert (1881–1946).
While Khnopff transports viewers to dreamlike, otherworldly realms, Spilliaert’s approach to symbolism is more introspective and expressionistic, delving into themes of solitude, existential dread, and psychological complexity. Spilliaert's evocative compositions often feature stark nocturnal landscapes, desolate seascapes, and solitary figures, embodying a profound sense of isolation and inner turmoil.
The Hearn Family Trust's engagement with Spilliaert began with the acquisition of Le Flacon (The Bottle), soon followed by key works such as The Hofstraat à Ostende (View of a Street in Ostend), L’Attente (Waiting), and Jeune femme sur un tabouret (Young Woman on a Stool)—all pivotal pieces from 1908–1909. These acquisitions have since been augmented by more than thirty works from both earlier and later periods, resulting in a comprehensive representation of Spilliaert's career. Notable among them is Autoportrait, 2 novembre 1908 (Self-Portrait, November 2nd), a critical work in understanding Spilliaert's introspective tendencies. A more recent acquisition, La porte ouverte. L’attente (The Open Door, Waiting) from 1945, resonates with the themes found in L’Attente (1909), offering a striking parallel across 36-years, underscoring Spilliaert’s enduring engagement with motifs of waiting and introspection.
The Trust actively supports monographic exhibitions dedicated to Léon Spilliaert, as well as broader exhibitions on Belgian symbolism, often contributing to these initiatives through generous loans from its collection. Furthering its mission to introduce Spilliaert to broader audiences, particularly in the United States, the Trust played a significant role in the English translation of Anne Adriaens-Pannier’s authoritative monograph, Léon Spilliaert – From the Depths of the Soul.
