Naakte vrouwen, zwemmend 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel created this drawing, titled "Naakte vrouwen, zwemmend," using graphite on paper. The medium itself, a humble pencil, emphasizes the artist's hand and the immediacy of the creative process. Gestel's choice of graphite allows for a range of tones, from light, airy sketches to more defined lines, capturing the figures' movement and weightlessness. The paper's surface, though plain, provides a crucial ground for the composition. The visible pencil strokes and unfinished quality invite us to consider the act of creation. The drawing has a sketch-like quality, but this is misleading, as the production of graphite pencils in the early 20th century speaks volumes about the industrialization of art production. Gestel’s playful, sensuous scene is a direct result of mass manufacture. It is a reminder that even the most seemingly spontaneous artworks are embedded in a network of labor, politics, and consumption. Appreciating the materials and context of "Naakte vrouwen, zwemmend," enriches our understanding of the art.