Vuisten 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel's 'Vuisten' is a drawing, probably with graphite or charcoal, that captures fists in various states of tension and repose. There's a real sense of the artist working through an idea, trying different angles and pressures. I love how Gestel uses the texture of the paper to his advantage. The tooth of the page grabs the graphite, creating a slightly rough, almost anxious surface. The main fist, gripping something unseen, is rendered with quick, decisive lines, while the smaller studies fade into ghostlier, more tentative marks. It's all about the process here, the searching and finding. That smudge of dark graphite on the left feels really important. It grounds the image, giving weight to the unseen object in the fist, and anchors the whole composition. It reminds me a little of Käthe Kollwitz's powerful drawings of hands, which also convey so much raw emotion through simple means. Like her, Gestel understands that ambiguity can be a strength, inviting us to project our own feelings and interpretations onto the work.