Brief aan Jan Ponstijn en Henriëtte Johanna Petronella van Hilten Possibly 1927

This letter by Leo Gestel, likely written in 1927, looks like it was dashed off with a fountain pen on whatever paper was handy. The flow of the ink betrays the pressure of his hand, the feeling of the nib against the page. Look at the way the lines loop and swirl, almost like tiny abstract paintings themselves. Writing is a gesture, right? A physical act of communication. Gestel is known for his experimentation and his journey through different styles, so who knows what was on his mind when he put pen to paper? Maybe he saw writing as another way to express himself, another medium to play with, and push the boundaries of expression. It reminds me that painting, like writing, is a way of thinking and feeling. It's about the artist's body and mind connecting with the world around them. We’re all having this conversation with each other across time. I’m talking to Gestel now!