Egel 1934 - 1936

This is Leo Gestel's "Egel," a pen drawing on paper in the Rijksmuseum. Look at that tiny hedgehog! The all-over mark-making feels almost obsessive, like Gestel really got into the prickly nature of this little critter. Each spine is carefully rendered with dense cross hatching. Up close, you can see the dedication in each little line, and how the texture of the page itself becomes part of the artwork. I'm drawn to the hedgehog's eye, just a small dark spot that seems to look right through you. There's something vulnerable about it, despite all those defensive spikes. It reminds me a bit of Dürer’s drawings of animals – that same level of detail and care, but with a totally unique take on the subject. Art isn't about fixed meanings; it's more like a game of telephone, each artist adding their own spin to the conversation.