Zelfportret van Leo Gestel 1904

Leo Gestel made this self-portrait with graphite, charcoal, and crayon. Gestel’s mark making feels so fresh and light in this work. The surface is a flurry of soft grey marks, built up to define the contours of the face and the folds of the clothing. The texture is so delicate it’s almost like a whisper. There’s a real physicality to it, the way the light catches the tooth of the paper. Look closely at the eyes, how the dark pupils seem to bore into you. The expression is so intense, so alive, it’s like you could reach out and touch him. This piece reminds me of the work of Lovis Corinth who, like Gestel, was concerned with showing the material reality of everyday life. Both artists remind us that art is not about fixed meanings, but about creating spaces for new thoughts and experiences.