Embleemontwerpen (paarden, vogels, gezichten, etc.) c. 1930 - 1935

Leo Gestel made this page of emblem designs, with ink on paper, at an unknown date. I love how Gestel divides the page into a grid of miniature worlds, each with its own quirky narrative. The drawings are so immediate and free, it’s almost like he’s thinking aloud. Look at the way he uses the ink – sometimes thick and bold, other times just a whisper of a line. It reminds me that artmaking isn’t about perfection, it’s a process of exploration, of letting the hand lead the way. The texture of the paper, the way the ink bleeds and pools, it all adds to the sense of immediacy and intimacy. Take the emblem with the two figures embracing – there's something both ancient and modern about it. Gestel reminds me of Picasso in his playful approach to form and subject matter. Both artists share a similar love for experimentation. For me, this work is a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation, a dialogue across time and space.