Ex libris voor J. Slagter (ontwerp) c. 1935 - 1940

This is Leo Gestel's Ex libris voor J. Slagter, a design done with pen and ink on paper. It’s all about the power of line, isn't it? The way a simple stroke can define a whole face, a whole idea. I’m drawn to the density of the black ink against the bare paper, it gives the piece a real graphic punch. Look at the way Gestel uses line to create those multiple profiles, they almost seem to be arguing with each other. The faces share a common outline, but each has its own distinct character. It's not just about what's there, but also about what's left out, the negative space. Gestel reminds me a bit of someone like Picasso, always experimenting, always pushing the boundaries of what art can be. Art isn't about answers, it's about questions, about opening up possibilities.