Kussend stel 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel made this drawing of a kissing couple with crayon on paper. Gestel’s loose and gestural approach captures the energy and intimacy of the couple’s embrace, focusing on the process of mark-making, rather than aiming for a perfect likeness. The crayon marks are raw and immediate, with the texture of the paper adding another layer of depth. The dark smudges of crayon create shadows and volume, while the lighter lines define the contours of their bodies. Look at the way Gestel uses these tonal contrasts to suggest the weight and warmth of their bodies pressed together. Notice too, the pressure of the crayon on the page, especially in the areas around the heads. These heavier marks create a sense of intensity and passion. Gestel was part of the Dutch avant-garde, alongside artists like Piet Mondrian. While Mondrian pushed abstraction to its limits, Gestel often stayed rooted in figuration, but, like Mondrian, he was always searching for new ways of seeing and representing the world.