Naakte vrouw en twee paarden in de zee 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel made this brush and ink drawing, *Naakte vrouw en twee paarden in de zee*, at some point in his career, though we don’t know exactly when. It’s all about the gesture, isn’t it? Gestel's mark-making is so alive here, it feels like the horses and the nude are emerging right before our eyes. The ink is applied with such varying pressure, some lines are thick and sure, while others are thin and delicate, almost like whispers. There’s a real sense of immediacy, like he’s capturing a fleeting moment, a dream, or a memory. Look at the way he renders the waves with these bold, rhythmic strokes. They almost feel like musical notes on a page, creating a sense of movement and energy. This drawing reminds me of Picasso’s line drawings, in that they both aimed to capture the essence of form with minimal means. They show us that art is not about perfect representation, but about feeling, expression, and the sheer joy of making.