The Isle of the Phoenix by Pierre Vlerick (1923–1999)

In his monumental work *The Isle of the Phoenix* (1963–1965), Pierre Vlerick reaches the pinnacle of his lyrical-abstract period. The canvas, measuring an impressive 200 x 178 cm, glows with a diffuse light of pastel hues and fiery strokes. Its composition unfolds like a labyrinth of floating shapes and translucent outlines, evoking forms — such as a bird in flight — without rendering them explicitly.

The painting radiates an ethereal calm, yet also an inner heat — as if the canvas itself undergoes a process of rebirth. The theme of the phoenix, symbol of renewal, aligns perfectly with Vlerick’s fascination for myth, nature, and the ineffable. This visual poetry embodies the most visionary phase of his career, placing him at the forefront of Belgian modern art in the 1960s.

*The Isle of the Phoenix* is far from mere decoration — it is intellectually rich and emotionally resonant: a rare example of lyrical abstract expressionism imbued with spiritual depth.