Zonder titel Schets van twee boeren aan het werk 1925 - 1927

This is an undated charcoal drawing titled "Zonder titel Schets van twee boeren aan het werk", or "Untitled Sketch of Two Farmers at Work", by Leo Gestel. Gestel lived through both World Wars and his art shifted from a colorful, Fauvist style to a more somber and socially conscious expression. Here, two male figures are captured in the throes of labor. Their bodies are bent, muscles strained, as they engage in unseen agricultural work. Gestel avoids romanticizing rural life, instead, he confronts us with its physical demands. This representation moves away from traditional, idealized portrayals of peasants, offering instead a raw, unvarnished glimpse into their world. We might consider how Gestel, as an artist, grappled with his role in depicting the lives of working-class individuals, navigating the complex terrain of representation and social commentary. The drawing serves not only as a depiction of labor, but also as an emotional statement about the human condition.