Vrouw met een kruik op het hoofd 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel created this drawing of a woman with a jug on her head. The figure carries the vessel with both hands, its form mirroring the shape of her own head. The motif of a woman carrying a vessel is ancient, appearing across cultures from antiquity to modern times. It represents not only the physical act of carrying but also ideas of sustenance, fertility, and life. Think of the Greek hydria bearers or the water carriers in North African art, where the vessel is a symbol of life's most basic necessity. This universal image taps into our collective memory, evoking the fundamental role of women as givers and sustainers of life. The simple act of carrying water becomes a symbol of perseverance, resilience, and the cyclical nature of life, constantly resurfacing through art history. As you reflect on this drawing, consider how the meaning of such symbols shifts and evolves, yet remains deeply connected to our shared human experience.