Paard 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel made this drawing of a horse sometime in the early 20th century using graphite on paper. The energy of this horse is all in the lines, right? It feels like Gestel was trying to capture the animal’s spirit, its essential form and movement, with as few strokes as possible. I’m thinking about how the artist might have felt, wrestling with the image, trying to pin down that fleeting sense of motion and grace. There’s a vulnerability to the sketch. You can see the artist's hand at work, almost like a dance between the eye, the hand, and the subject. Look at the way the lines vary in pressure and weight, creating depth and volume. Imagine Gestel's focus, his intent to convey the essence of this animal. There's something so immediate and raw about drawings like this, a direct connection to the artist’s thought process. Artists are always building on what came before, remixing ideas and techniques, and it’s inspiring to see that conversation unfold across time. It's not about fixed meanings but about keeping the dialogue going, letting the work evolve.