Drie koeien en een koeienkop 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel made this piece, Drie koeien en een koeienkop, with confident strokes of black ink on paper. It's a study of cows, focusing on capturing their essence rather than precise detail. Gestel's lines dance around the forms, sometimes thick, sometimes thin, creating a sense of movement and life. Look at how he suggests the shading with loose, scribbled marks. The texture of the paper peeks through, reminding us of the physical act of drawing. The cow's head at the top left is particularly striking. It's not perfectly rendered, but it has a soulful, almost melancholic expression. Gestel’s work reminds me of Marsden Hartley's animal drawings. Both artists share a raw, direct approach, embracing imperfection and celebrating the beauty of simple forms. Art isn't about perfection; it's about exploring, questioning, and finding new ways to see the world.