Vignet voor biografie van Gestel door Prof. W. van der Pluym 1935 - 1936

This is a pen drawing by Leo Gestel, made as a vignette for a biography. It’s all in black ink, giving it a stark, graphic feel. I’m thinking about Gestel sitting somewhere, maybe in a cafe or his studio, quickly sketching this little village scene. It’s all about the line here. Look how he uses these short, hatched marks to create texture and volume, especially in the haystacks. He creates depth with simple lines; it’s so efficient. And the windmill! It’s like a little monument, surrounded by these almost cartoonish clouds. Gestel’s work reminds me of other artists who were trying to capture the essence of a place or a moment with minimal fuss. What's interesting is that even without color or a ton of detail, you get a real sense of place. It’s like he’s saying, "Here, this is what it feels like to be here, now." It's a shared language, these artists inspiring each other across time.