Léon Spilliaert at MSK Museum of Fine Arts Ghent
By Dr. Johan De Smet, Head of Exhibitions, Collection and Research at MSK Ghent
History
The Museum of Fine Arts Ghent (MSK) never purchased work directly from the artist. The first work by Spilliaert did join the museum collection during his lifetime through a donation (from Mrs C. Dangotte-Limbosch, 1942). The collection was subsequently expanded through purchases, donations and bequests. The main impetus for the growth of the Spilliaert sub-collection was provided by the late Prof. dr. Alex Vermeulen, first through a direct gift and later through a gift with a reservation of usufruct (both in 2012).
Spurred on by the MSK, the King Baudouin Foundation purchased the important work De absintdrinkster (The Absinthe Drinker) in 2015. This work, along with Silhouet van de schilder (Silhouette of the Artist) and Twee november. Interieur (The Second of November. Interior) features on the List of Masterpieces; the three form the core of the Spilliaert ensemble.
Since 2023, the Portret van Madeleine Spilliaert, de dochter van de kunstenaar (Portrait of Madeleine Spilliaert, the Daughter of the Artist), has been on loan to the Friends of the Museum, who in turn have made it available to the museum as part of a bequest yet to be completed (inv. 2023-O).
Composition and presentation
The MSK holds thirteen of the artist’s works, all mixed techniques on paper. No prints or drawings are stored in the collection. The museum has been particularly generous in recent years with loans of various works on paper (London/Paris/Lausanne, etc.). The MSK plans to display the majority of these works in an exhibition featuring the most important pieces in the collection (probably in 2029 or 2030). For this reason, as of 2025, important works will only be displayed in the museum or be given on loan in highly exceptional cases.
