Grazende koeien en een paard 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel sketched “Grazing Cows and a Horse” using graphite on paper. The drawing employs a sparse arrangement of lines and shaded areas to depict the animals, creating a composition that feels both immediate and somewhat abstract. The overall impression is one of simplified forms, where the essence of the animals is captured with minimal detail. Notice how Gestel uses line to define the shapes of the cows and horse. The lines vary in thickness and darkness, adding a sense of depth and movement to the otherwise static scene. Areas of shading, achieved through smudging, give volume to the figures, while the negative space around them contributes to the overall balance of the composition. The drawing is less about representing the animals realistically and more about capturing their presence through essential forms. The formal qualities of line and shading come to the forefront, inviting us to consider how these elements alone can convey the idea of the animals in a field. The sketch invites us to see beyond representation and appreciate the expressive power of simple forms.