Twee bloemen 1902

Leo Gestel made this watercolour, "Twee bloemen", without any date given, and it's all about the way the paint moves. It's like he let the water do half the work, a real collaboration between artist and material. The dark background isn't just a backdrop; it's alive, with the watercolour blooming and spreading like dark tendrils. Then, those white lilies, they're almost ghosts, not quite solid, more like memories. See how the stems are barely there, just a hint of green, like the idea of a stem? Gestel's got this quiet confidence. He knows when to step back and let the paint speak. It reminds me a bit of Odilon Redon, that dreamy, symbolic vibe. This piece isn't about perfect representation, it’s about feeling. It’s like Gestel is saying, "Here, I started something, now you finish it in your own head."