Stoomschip op zee met schelpen op het strand 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel made this drawing of a steamship at sea with shells on the beach with pen in the Netherlands. The rough seas and stormy clouds above a collection of shells create a striking juxtaposition. Gestel was working in a time of great social and technological change, and this image seems to capture some of the tensions between the old and the new. The steamship represents the modern world, with its emphasis on speed and progress, while the shells are a reminder of the natural world. Gestel’s rough, expressive style suggests a sense of unease or anxiety about the rapid pace of change. It challenges the conservative art establishment of the time. To understand Gestel's work better, we can look to sources such as exhibition reviews, artists' letters, and social commentaries of the time. By placing the artwork in its specific social and institutional context, we can gain a deeper appreciation of its meaning and significance.