Kudde paarden 1891 - 1941

This is Leo Gestel's "Kudde paarden" or "Herd of Horses" a pencil drawing now in the Rijksmuseum collection. The drawing presents a dynamic scene of multiple horses, yet the representation feels intentionally incomplete. Notice how the composition is fragmented, with the forms of the horses overlapping and dissolving into one another. This technique invites us to consider the nature of representation itself. The horses aren't depicted in a realistic way, but more like impressions. Gestel seems less concerned with the physical accuracy and more with the sensation of movement and energy. The dominant horse is rendered with dense horizontal lines, a choice that both defines its form and flattens it. This tension between depth and surface is a key aspect, challenging our perception.