Drie rennende paarden 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel made this drawing of three running horses on paper, though when exactly, is anyone's guess. There's a real sense of movement and energy in these simple lines. You can almost feel the ground thundering beneath their hooves. Look at the way the artist has captured the anatomy of the horses. It is not hyper-realistic, but conveys the essence of these animals. It’s all about flow and rhythm, with each line playing off the others. Gestel isn’t trying to give us a finished product, more a glimpse into his own process. It reminds me of Matisse’s line drawings, where the essence of the subject is captured with a few, well-placed strokes. The pencil glides across the page, creating a delicate dance between form and space. It’s like he is thinking out loud, working through the possibilities. The image is not overwrought, like an ode to an embrace of imperfection and the beauty of unfinished thoughts.