Karikatuur van Leo Gestel op zijn ziekbed

This caricature of Leo Gestel on his sickbed, was made with graphite on paper and can be found in the Rijksmuseum. The marks are so tentative and quick, you get the feeling that Gestel was trying to capture a fleeting moment, or maybe just trying to make himself laugh. It’s as if he's saying, "Okay, I'm stuck here, might as well make some art." There’s this wonderful vulnerability in the lines, especially around the eyes. They’re huge and kind of searching, like he's looking for something beyond the sickbed. It reminds me a bit of some of Picasso’s looser drawings, the ones where he’s just letting the line wander and discover things. It’s not precious, it’s just human. Ultimately, the drawing is a reminder that art can come from anywhere, even from being stuck in bed.