Vrouwenkop met vogel (schets) c. 1935

Leo Gestel sketched "Woman's Head with Bird" with pen and ink on paper at an unknown date. Gestel lived through both World Wars and witnessed seismic shifts in artistic expression. The stylization of the woman's face is striking; her dark, almond-shaped eyes gaze out, yet her expression remains enigmatic. There is a sense of detachment, almost as if she is caught between worlds. This was a period of intense social change and the rise of the "New Woman," who challenged traditional gender roles. Gestel places the woman in an interesting dialogue with the bird. Is the bird a symbol of freedom, or does it represent vulnerability? The bird seems to nestle into the safety of the woman’s form. The sketch invites us to reflect on the complexities of identity, particularly the shifting roles of women in a rapidly changing society. It acknowledges the emotional and psychological tensions that arise from these transformations.