Briefkaart aan Jan Ponstijn before 1917

Leo Gestel made this postcard to Jan Ponstijn using pen and ink. During Gestel’s life, spanning the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Holland underwent significant transformations, grappling with industrialization and its impact on daily life. The sketch features a simple, almost hasty, depiction of a street scene in the rain. Two figures, hunched against the weather, are sketched with quick, economic lines that suggest movement and the harshness of the elements. Gestel captures a fleeting moment, emphasizing the everyday experiences of ordinary people, of those for whom the weather is not an atmospheric condition but a palpable presence that shapes their actions. Gestel’s choice to depict such a mundane scene speaks to a broader artistic interest in elevating the ordinary. The stark, unromanticized portrayal of life offers a glimpse into the shared human experience of navigating the world, regardless of societal status. It is a reminder of our collective vulnerability to the elements and the quiet dignity found in resilience.