Luipaard 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel made this ink drawing, "Luipaard," and it's like seeing the world through a child's eyes, isn't it? The leopard is built from a simple outline, filled with comma-shaped spots. It’s an image distilled to its most essential elements, like a memory or a dream. Look at how the economy of line suggests form and texture. The beauty of this piece lies in its directness, in the way it embraces imperfection. Gestel reminds me of artists like Henri Rousseau, who weren't afraid to embrace simplicity. It is this very simplicity that allows it to speak so profoundly. Ultimately, “Luipaard” is an invitation to see the world with fresh eyes, to find beauty in the everyday, and to embrace the endless possibilities of art.