Pegasus, paard met veulen, vis, hert en een meeuw 1891 - 1941

Curator: Here we have a drawing by Leo Gestel, created sometime between 1891 and 1941. The title is "Pegasus, Horse with Foal, Fish, Deer and a Seagull," rendered in pencil. Editor: Immediately, it feels like a page torn from a naturalist’s notebook, but with a twist of mythical creatures thrown in. It’s quite dreamy, even in its stark simplicity. Curator: It is interesting how Gestel intertwines real and mythical creatures within the same composition. It pushes us to reflect on our relationship with nature, power dynamics, and the animal gaze. Editor: The animals appear caught mid-thought or mid-motion, sketched so spontaneously they almost feel alive. I particularly love the proud set of Pegasus. It's so enchanting and feels very intimate. Curator: That portrayal of Pegasus can certainly be interpreted through a critical lens, too. As a winged stallion representing inspiration, its inclusion alongside mundane creatures might symbolize the integration—or even conflict—between lofty artistic ideals and everyday realities. Editor: Or maybe it's about freedom. All the figures evoke their natural habitat in all forms of existence: sky, land, water… even if slightly surreal or in fantastic terms. What resonates strongly for me, however, is the innocence captured. They seem so exposed and trusting. Curator: I agree that vulnerability is visible, but consider the historical context. These decades coincided with rising industrialization and its increasing encroachment upon the natural world, not to mention sociopolitical unrest. Do you think this work reflects a silent cry about those pressures? Editor: Yes, certainly. When you situate Gestel's art into that era of conflict and sociopolitical change, it transforms into something much bigger. Maybe it served to Gestel as a meditative state that provided shelter during these intense eras of history, or at least during certain parts of his career? A safe place to reflect and fantasize without restriction, or labels! It leaves so much open to the viewer's perspective and emotional processing. Curator: Precisely, and that open-endedness underscores the piece’s enduring value. Thank you for that. Editor: And thank you. I love how analyzing it brought about more profound implications from simply what I initially conceived!