Zeven duiven 1939 - 1941

Editor: Here we have "Zeven duiven" or "Seven Doves" by Leo Gestel, a pencil drawing on paper from 1939-1941. I'm struck by how delicate the rendering of the doves are; they almost appear to be emerging from a dream. What do you make of it? Curator: A dream indeed, or perhaps a fleeting thought captured in pencil. Gestel, a Modernist through and through, here uses simple materials to express something quite profound. Notice how each dove has a unique character, a personality almost, rendered with just a few careful lines. Do you get a sense of movement from them? Editor: Definitely movement, like they're captured in different stages of flight, but they also seem very grounded by the little decorative pedestals under each bird. Is this just a study, or something more? Curator: That’s a wonderful observation. It does seem like a study, exploring variations on a theme. But I wonder, could the 'pedestals' hint at something deeper? Consider the dates: 1939-1941. Gestel was living through World War II, a time of immense turmoil and uncertainty. Doves are often symbols of peace, so these doves, 'grounded' as they are, could reflect the fragile, precious nature of peace during wartime. The sketch-like quality adds a sense of impermanence. Editor: That gives me a totally new perspective! I was just looking at it formally, but the historical context really shifts the meaning. The rapid strokes emphasize their fragility. Curator: Exactly! And that's the magic of art, isn't it? We bring ourselves to it, but then it teaches us to see the world anew. It speaks to us when we ask "Why does it matter?". Editor: Absolutely, now when I look at it, they look more fragile. It is cool how a drawing in pencil can contain all that historical, artistic, and personal information.