Ontwerpschets affiche voor propaganda kunstbescherming in het leger, drie schetsen van soldaat 1939

Leo Gestel made this sketch, with pencil on paper, as a draft poster for army propaganda. The composition is dominated by three studies of a soldier. The figures, rendered with quick, assertive lines, show an interest in form and movement, even at this early stage. The use of line is particularly striking; Gestel doesn't outline the figures conventionally but uses layers of strokes to suggest volume and shape. This technique captures the essence of the figures and a sense of dynamism. The pencil lines create texture, hinting at the material of the soldier's uniform and equipment. These rapid lines, almost scribbled, convey a sense of immediacy. The absence of color directs our attention to the form itself. The contrast between the white paper and the graphite lines offers a visual structure that is both simple and profound. It's through this carefully considered deployment of line that Gestel begins to construct a narrative, prompting reflection on the role and representation of soldiers in propaganda art.