Naakte zittende vrouw met opgetrokken knieën (schets) before 1936

Curator: Here at the Rijksmuseum, we have before us a compelling ink drawing on paper by Leo Gestel, known as "Naakte zittende vrouw met opgetrokken knieën," created sometime before 1936. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the raw emotion. It feels incredibly vulnerable. The bold lines give the figure a stylized, almost flattened quality, but the overall impression is intensely personal. Curator: Indeed. Gestel employs a stark contrast of black ink against the paper to delineate form. Note how the composition centers on the interplay of positive and negative space, contributing to its modernist aesthetic. The posture—knees drawn up to the chest—creates a closed, almost defensive shape. Editor: That fetal position resonates deeply. Throughout history, it appears as a visual motif for introspection, vulnerability, even rebirth. There's a universal quality to it; the body language speaks across cultures and time. Curator: The linework itself is quite economical. Observe the use of broad strokes to define the outline of the figure, and shorter, more controlled lines to suggest internal details and volume. There's an expressive quality in the thickness and fluidity of the ink. Gestel emphasizes certain anatomical features while almost omitting others. It calls attention to which part of the image he intends the viewer to interpret. Editor: I keep returning to her face. Though minimally rendered, the eyes seem downcast, laden with thought. This drawing also evokes questions of beauty and representation—by eschewing traditional notions of ideal beauty, Gestel confronts us with a more genuine, unvarnished portrayal of the human form. Curator: Gestel certainly pushes us to reconsider conventional representations of the nude, leaning into modernist abstraction rather than anatomical perfection. Editor: Exploring this sketch reveals its resonance far beyond its lines and ink, it gives a peek into psychological states. Curator: Absolutely. It allows us to appreciate how formal elements, brought together in Gestel's capable hands, articulate both emotion and the very human condition with brevity and elegance.