Studieblad met leeuwenkoppen 1891 - 1941

This study of lions by Leo Gestel is a humble drawing on lined paper, somehow elevated by its very simplicity. The rapid, energetic lines almost vibrate, giving a sense of the artist capturing fleeting impressions. It's art at its most process-oriented, a direct translation of seeing into doing. The texture of the paper, with its faint blue lines, creates a subtle grid that grounds the wildness of the lions. Look at the leftmost lion's face. See how the lines loop around to suggest the mane, and how other lines fill in the details of the face. Gestel isn't trying to hide his process. It's all there on the surface. The energy in these lines reminds me of similar studies by Delacroix. Ultimately, this drawing feels like a conversation, an exploration. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t always have to be grand or polished to be powerful.