Zonder titel (paard en liggend veulen) 1935 - 1936

Leo Gestel made this untitled drawing of a horse and foal some time around the early 20th century. It looks like he made it quickly, maybe in one sitting with ink on paper. I imagine Gestel hunched over, deeply involved, pushing the ink around to find the essence of these creatures. See how the thick, bold lines define the horse's form, while the foal is softer, more vulnerable. There’s a beautiful contrast in the textures, like rough versus smooth, solid versus fragile. The quick, confident strokes suggest he wasn’t trying to capture every detail, but instead, convey the feeling of watching these animals. Gestel was always experimenting with different styles, from impressionism to cubism. I wonder if he was looking at Franz Marc's animal paintings at the time? Artists are constantly in dialogue with one another; each new painting builds upon those that came before, and in turn, inspires those that follow. It's a beautiful, ongoing exchange of ideas.