Briefkaart aan Jan Ponstijn 1914

"Briefkaart aan Jan Ponstijn" is a watercolor painting by Dutch artist Leo Gestel, created in 1914. This small-scale work, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, depicts a satirical Christmas scene set amidst the chaos of World War I. The central figures, reminiscent of the three wise men, are depicted kneeling before a large shell, a jarring replacement for the traditional manger. Surrounding them are soldiers and cannon barrels, transforming the peaceful Nativity into a scene of wartime reality. This humorous, yet thought-provoking, portrayal of Christmas during a time of war reflects the social and political climate of the early 20th century.