Schipper aan het roer 1925 - 1927

Leo Gestel created this charcoal drawing, "Skipper at the Helm," sometime in the early 20th century. Gestel was a Dutch artist known for his evolving engagement with modern art movements. In this drawing, we see a figure steering a boat, set against a backdrop of trees and houses, all rendered with a stark, simplified approach. Made in the Netherlands, a country with a rich maritime history, the image evokes the everyday life of people connected to its waterways. The lack of precise dating invites us to see this work in relation to broader shifts in Dutch society around the turn of the century, such as the rise of industrialisation and urbanization that prompted artists to reconsider their relationship to the landscape and working-class life. Art historical research into Gestel's influences and the cultural context of the Netherlands during this period would give us greater insights into the image's role in the artistic debates of its time.