Twee maskers voor gebouw en rotsen (schets) before 1936

Leo Gestel sketched these "Two Masks for Building and Rocks" with pen and ink on paper, and you can see how the process of artmaking itself is front and center. The ink is applied in such a way that it really brings out the texture of the masks and the rock-like forms around them. Gestel uses these stark contrasts, going from light grey washes to almost black in some areas, really making you feel the weight and volume of the forms he's depicting. Look closely, you can see the quick, expressive strokes, especially around the edges of the masks, which give the piece a raw, immediate feel. It’s like you're watching the sketch come to life right before your eyes. Gestel was part of a generation grappling with new ways of seeing, and you can definitely see some influence from artists like Picasso here, especially in how he breaks down and reassembles the forms. But he brings his own sensibility to it. Ultimately, art’s always a conversation, isn’t it?