Zelfportret 1891 - 1941

Curator: Leo Gestel rendered this striking "Self-portrait" sometime between 1891 and 1941. Executed in graphite, it’s now part of the Rijksmuseum's collection. Editor: My first impression is that it's surprisingly stark and graphic. The sharp lines and minimal shading almost give it a cartoonish feel, despite being a self-portrait. Curator: I agree; there's a definite expressiveness. Given Gestel's involvement with various artistic movements during that period, this sketch possibly reflects the broader Expressionist trends focused on emotional impact and simplification of form, and could have ties to burgeoning developments in cartooning and the illustrated press. Editor: The way Gestel simplifies his own features is intriguing. The eyes, for example, are just outlined circles, yet they convey so much intensity. The strong lines defining the nose and mouth, give his face such personality. Curator: I think that's the strength of this sketch, its ability to distill a sense of self through very basic graphic elements. Consider how the bold outlines create a mask-like effect, forcing us to contemplate the constructed nature of identity, especially for an artist operating within a shifting social landscape. Perhaps even the changing nature of 'the artist' in modern, urbanizing Europe. Editor: Absolutely, it's as if he's deliberately stripping away the realistic details to expose something more essential. It makes you wonder about his state of mind when he created this piece. Is this confidence? Vulnerability? It seems the more reductive he gets the stronger an idea of ‘self’ we are faced with. Curator: Indeed. This work raises many questions, about Gestel's own self-perception and his position within the artistic and social contexts of his time. Editor: It makes me look closely, at the line work itself. Even such a basic form shows confidence in composition, making this quite an assertive self-image.