Nationale vlaggen 1934 - 1936

Leo Gestel made this drawing of national flags with pen and ink on paper at an unknown date. The repetitive lines, almost scribbles, give the piece a vibrating, restless energy, don't they? Looking closely, I am interested in how Gestel articulates the flags themselves. The dark ink gives way in places to create a chiaroscuro effect, that contrast between light and shadow. These are not smooth planes of color, but hatch marks, rough lines layered on top of each other. I like how this technique gives the flags a sense of depth and texture, they become almost sculptural. See how the flags at the front seem to be pushing against those at the back, creating a sense of movement and instability. Gestel's drawing reminds me a little of some of Lyonel Feininger's architectural drawings, with their angular lines and fractured forms. Both artists seem to be interested in capturing the underlying structure and energy of their subjects, rather than simply depicting their surface appearance. Like Gestel, Feininger was working in the early 20th century, a time of great upheaval and change, and you can see that reflected in the work.