Denkende vrouw 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel made this drawing with pencil on paper. I wonder what she's thinking about. As a painter, I often put myself in the artist's shoes, imagining the moment of creation. Was he trying to capture a fleeting thought, a momentary feeling? The lines are delicate, almost hesitant, yet they convey a powerful sense of introspection. The texture of the paper peeks through, reminding us of the materiality of the artwork. The light falls softly, creating subtle shadows that enhance the mood. Maybe the way the hand supports the face tells a story of quiet contemplation. I see echoes of other artists wrestling with similar themes, from Rodin’s “The Thinker” to Kollwitz’s portraits of resilience. Artists are constantly in dialogue with one another, riffing on ideas and pushing boundaries. This drawing invites us to slow down, to pause, and to reflect on the act of thinking itself.