Between late 1908 and early 1909, Spilliaert rented a studio for several months on the corner of Visserskaai and Nieuwstraat.
This period not only saw his work exhibited in Belgium for the first time, but a first newspaper review also appeared, and it was a remarkably productive time for the artist. He had a great affinity with the port, the quays, the fisherwomen... and this is reflected in his work. In addition to the outdoor scenes, a number of works have been preserved in which he clearly depicted his rental studio, located above a local chip shop. At least three half-arched windows provided him with a view of the rooftops across the street, an oblique view of the channel, fishing boats and the quays, and a view parallel to the wharf. Gust De Smet and Constant Permeke took over the studio after Spilliaert’s departure.
