Lighthouse at Night
Vilack
20th Century
Hand-Cut Paper on Board

A solitary lighthouse casts a radiant beam across a dark and quiet sea in this hand-cut paper silhouette, evoking themes of solitude, guidance, and nighttime mystery. A stark contrast of black and white animates the scene, where light and shadow play a central role in shaping the atmosphere. The jagged line of land meets the stillness of the ocean while a tree branch curls into the sky above, framing the vertical power of the lighthouse structure.

This work is executed entirely in cut paper—a precise and delicate art form often rooted in folk traditions. Its sharp geometry and bold contrast create a minimalist yet emotionally resonant effect. The piece is signed in graphite; the stylized signature reads Vilack. Whether a coastal folk-art homage or a modernist graphic meditation, the image radiates quiet strength.

On display at the Disco Freedom Gallery, 818 Hyde St., San Francisco.