Ontwerpschets affiche voor propaganda kunstbescherming in het leger, schets van soldaat, die met de linkerhand een stopteken maakt 1939

This is a graphite sketch on paper by Leo Gestel, intended as a propaganda poster for art protection in the military. The starkness of the graphite on paper emphasizes the urgency and simplicity of the message. The artist likely chose this medium for its directness and ease of reproduction, essential for wartime communication. The sketchiness underscores the immediacy of the situation. The artist may have been thinking of broadsheets or other kinds of ephemera used for quick communication to a wide audience. Gestel was likely commissioned to create this image, reflecting a societal need for propaganda during a time of conflict. The choice of a readily available, inexpensive material like graphite aligns with wartime austerity and the need for mass communication, reminding us that even in art, materials and processes are deeply intertwined with the social and political landscape. Ultimately, this sketch’s power lies not only in its message but also in the conscious choice of materials, highlighting the importance of craft and context in art.