Reiger aan het water met twee vissen bij zijn poten 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel made this drawing of a heron standing in water with two fish near its feet, and I'm immediately drawn to the economy of line. Gestel really knew how to make every stroke count. It's a masterclass in reduction. Look at the way he uses simple, curved lines to suggest the texture of the heron's feathers. Each mark is deliberate, creating a sense of depth and volume. The reeds around the bird’s legs are just vertical strokes but together they suggest a whole habitat. The drawing has a real sense of movement. The heron feels alive, like it might take flight at any moment. Gestel was clearly influenced by Japanese art, you can see that in the flat perspective and the emphasis on line. This piece really shows how drawing can be both representational and expressive at the same time. It’s this balance that makes Gestel’s work so compelling.