Steigerend paard met figuur op de achtergrond 1891 - 1941

Editor: This graphite drawing, "Steigerend paard met figuur op de achtergrond" by Leo Gestel, looks like it captures a horse rearing up, with a suggested figure in the background. It feels really dynamic and immediate. What's your take on this? Curator: I see the frantic energy conveyed by the rapid application of graphite less as an end in itself, and more as revealing of the historical moment, the very act of image production under duress or perhaps against tight deadlines, particularly relevant in the interwar period of 1891-1941. This drawing reveals how constraints can shape aesthetic choices, particularly the consumption habits of art viewers at the time. Editor: Consumption habits? So you’re saying how it was made impacts how it was received? Curator: Exactly! Think of the labour involved. Why graphite? Was it cheaper, faster, more readily available than oils? What kind of patronage drove Gestel to prioritize speed and efficiency? It wasn't simply about depicting a horse; it was also about engaging in the cultural and economic structures surrounding artistic creation. The gestural application of material indexes production costs as a vital element of both art-making and spectatorship. Editor: So by looking at the material, we can understand the forces at play during its creation. That’s fascinating! I usually focus on just what the drawing shows. Curator: Shifting our focus to material allows us to challenge these notions of "high" and "low" art as separate spheres, as they are all caught within systems of materiality, labour, and consumption. By seeing them together, we create different dialogues around what these images once were, and what they could be for the future. Editor: That makes me rethink how I look at art in general, understanding the story embedded in its materials. Thank you. Curator: Indeed! By studying artistic media as embedded within a particular socio-economic-political field, it enables a more thorough engagement with the life of a piece.