Kussend stel 1891 - 1941

Editor: This is "Kussend stel" – "Kissing Couple" – by Leo Gestel, created sometime between 1891 and 1941. It's a pencil drawing, and there's something so raw and intimate about it. What stands out to you? Curator: For me, it’s about the *making* here, right? Consider the materiality of the pencil, the labor of mark-making. This isn't just about portraying affection. It's about Gestel's process – a moment captured, maybe even a preparatory sketch. The choice of pencil itself speaks volumes, hinting at accessibility and directness, differing dramatically from say, oil paints in the context of early 20th century artistic materials. Editor: That's interesting. I was focused on the emotional content, but you're right, the sketch-like quality feels… deliberate. Curator: Absolutely. Think about the social context. Cheaper materials meant art was becoming accessible beyond the wealthy. The rise of industrial pencil production coincided with evolving social values, challenging established ideas of “high art.” Does it make you think of shifting economic or social structures? Editor: I hadn't considered it that way, but now that you mention it, there is an unrefined quality which may challenge established academic techniques. Is that your sense, that Gestel might be suggesting an alternative to mainstream art practices? Curator: It is possible. By using such a common, mass-produced material like the pencil, he almost democratizes the process of artmaking. The consumption of art becomes a totally different experience when its production feels so close, so within reach. The material of this piece tells us about shifts in labor, in artistry and societal shifts as well. Editor: I hadn't thought about the economics and production of art in that way. It's really fascinating to consider the impact of something as simple as a pencil. Curator: Precisely. Focusing on the material and its historical context unveils layers of meaning often overlooked.