Landschap met een vliegende zeemeeuw 1891 - 1941

Editor: This is Leo Gestel’s "Landschap met een vliegende zeemeeuw," or "Landscape with a Flying Seagull," made sometime between 1891 and 1941 using ink on paper. The stark black and white has a striking, almost graphic quality. What's most interesting to you about this drawing? Curator: I'm drawn to the interplay between abstraction and representation. Gestel's use of ink to depict this landscape is far from photorealistic. Consider the social and economic factors here. Ink was a relatively accessible and mass-produced material during this period, shifting away from precious paints. What does that suggest to you about the intended audience or purpose of this piece? Editor: Possibly something more democratic, less focused on appealing to wealthy patrons? Like it’s made for a wider consumption? Curator: Precisely. And note the deliberate use of line and form to evoke the landscape. The thick outlines almost flatten the image, negating depth. Gestel is highlighting the materiality of the drawing itself, forcing us to consider the labor and process of creation. Is it more concerned with 'being' or 'representing' the landscape? Editor: I see what you mean. It’s like he’s drawing attention to the very act of making the image. Curator: Exactly. By simplifying and abstracting, Gestel democratizes not just the medium but also the artistic experience, inviting the viewer to participate in constructing the landscape. Also notice the serial aspect, which further challenges the artwork’s auratic nature, bringing art closer to productivism. Does that resonate with you? Editor: Absolutely. I hadn't considered the broader context of materials and production influencing the artwork's meaning in that way. Curator: Thinking about materials, production, and consumption opens a lot of interesting perspectives. Editor: I’ll definitely keep this in mind when looking at other works of art!