Twee paarden 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel sketched these 'Two Horses' with graphite on paper. Even in this rapid sketch, the horse emerges as more than just an animal; it becomes a symbol laden with historical weight. Since antiquity, the horse has been associated with power, virility, and untamed energy. Recall the equestrian statues of Roman emperors, where the horse elevates the ruler, bridging the earthly and divine. Yet, the horse also appears in more somber contexts, such as the pale horse of the Apocalypse, representing death and destruction. Here, Gestel's horses evoke a sense of subdued strength. The unfinished lines suggest potential, like a memory waiting to be fully realized. This image resonates with our collective consciousness, tapping into primal associations of freedom and vitality, emotions embedded in the very idea of the horse. A timeless symbol, the horse continues its gallop through our cultural imagination.