Mannenkop 1934 - 1936

Leo Gestel's 'Mannenkop' is a striking ink drawing with dimensions of 131 by 99 millimetres, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. The drawing presents a bold, graphic head, achieved through stark contrasts of black ink against the off-white paper. Gestel uses thick, decisive lines to define the contours of the face, creating a powerful sense of form. The composition is almost brutally direct; there’s little softening or blending. This directness may reflect Gestel's engagement with early modernist movements, where the essence of form and expression took precedence over naturalistic representation. The choice of ink as a medium emphasizes immediacy and a certain raw quality. Gestel seems less concerned with likeness, and more intrigued by the interplay of shape, shadow, and line. This piece should encourage you to consider how an artist can convey the essence of a subject using minimal means. It is an exploration of structure, of how a few bold strokes can create a lasting impression.