Achterhoofd van een kale man 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel created this drawing, "Achterhoofd van een kale man," using black chalk, a medium that invites both precision and expressive blurring. The choice of chalk here speaks volumes. Unlike the permanence of ink or the vibrancy of paint, chalk is immediate and inherently transient. You can see how Gestel exploits this quality, allowing the tonal gradations to suggest the soft modeling of the man's head. The very act of applying chalk, grinding pigment against paper, makes the materiality of the work inescapable. The rough paper adds another layer, its tooth grabbing the chalk to create a slightly uneven surface texture. The result isn't just a portrait, it's a record of a fleeting encounter, a moment captured in a medium that emphasizes the passage of time. Gestel reminds us that even the most traditional materials can be used in ways that break down the usual separation between fine art and the immediacy of sketching.