Zonder titel (liggend paard) 1935 - 1936

Leo Gestel made this untitled drawing of a reclining horse with pen and ink. Gestel came of age during a period of immense social and artistic change at the turn of the twentieth century. His family's business in the art trade meant he had a close view of evolving artistic tastes. It's tempting to see this horse, captured in simple lines, as a symbol of vulnerability, lying down and exposed. Gestel lived through two World Wars, and his work, particularly later in life, often reflected a deep connection to nature and a sense of introspection, and it is tempting to read that into this work. This drawing, with its stark simplicity, offers a space to reflect on the delicate balance between strength and fragility, and how the turmoil of history shapes our individual and collective experiences.