Altenberg (Ertsgebergte) 1923

Leo Gestel made this black chalk drawing of Altenberg in 1923. It looks like it was made quickly, like a sketch, full of bold, energetic lines and deep shadows, that really give it a sense of depth. I bet he was standing outside in the cold, working fast, trying to capture the essence of the place before the light changed! The way he uses black chalk to define the shapes of the buildings and trees reminds me of cubist landscape painting, but with an expressionist twist. It’s a very personal and emotional response to the landscape. You can almost feel the chill in the air, the quietness of the village. I’m always moved by how artists find new ways to see and represent the world around them, pushing the boundaries of what art can be.