Portret van Jan Toorop 1920 - 1922

Leo Gestel made this rapid portrait of Jan Toorop using brush and ink. The marks are so immediate, so responsive, that you feel like you're in the room with the artist as he's working, catching a glimpse of Toorop's essence. Gestel’s choice of ink lends itself to both control and chance. Look how he varies the pressure to create both thin lines and broad areas of tone. The ink bleeds and pools in certain spots, creating a sense of depth and volume that's almost sculptural. I find my eye is drawn to the nose, this strong diagonal. It's not just a nose; it's a statement, a bold assertion of form. You might find this way of working reminds you of someone like Kokoschka, interested in capturing the psychological state of the sitter as much as their likeness. Ultimately, Gestel’s portrait is less about perfect representation and more about the energy of the encounter.