Arbeiders aan het werk 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel made this drawing of workers in an unknown year with black chalk. It’s all about the act of making, isn’t it? The energy in this piece comes from the visible process. Look at the marks—the quick, dark lines that define the figures. They aren't trying to be perfect, and that's the beauty of it. The texture of the chalk on paper gives it a raw, immediate feel. It’s like Gestel is capturing not just the workers, but the very act of labor itself. See how the lines around the figures almost vibrate? That’s where the drawing takes off! It’s not just about what you see, but what you feel. Gestel’s work reminds me a bit of Kathe Kollwitz, who also used drawing to depict the lives of working people with so much empathy. Art isn't about answers; it's about keeping the conversation going.