Vrouwenhoofd 1891 - 1941

This is Leo Gestel's 'Vrouwenhoofd' or 'Woman's Head,' a drawing done with ink on paper. What strikes me is how little it takes to make a face. It's like Gestel's saying, "Here are the barest essentials." That simple black line, so confident and unwavering, dances around the profile. It defines the curve of the brow, the slope of the nose, and then swoops into the soft waves of her hair. The ink is so direct, almost childlike in its simplicity, but don't be fooled. This isn't just a doodle. It's a distillation, a paring down to the most essential elements. Look closely, and you'll see how much is suggested with so little. It reminds me of Matisse's line drawings, that same sense of capturing the essence of form with elegant economy. It’s a reminder that art isn't always about adding more but understanding what to leave out. That's a conversation I always want to be a part of.