Paarden, dansende mensen en maskers 1891 - 1941

Leo Gestel made 'Paarden, dansende mensen en maskers’ with ink on paper. It's a small drawing, and Gestel's playful, almost irreverent approach to mark-making shines through. The simplicity of the line work lets us see the artmaking as a process. I like how the drawing is divided into layers, each telling a different story. The figures, both human and animal, are rendered with such energy. Look at the horse lying down, the detail on the head makes it look so alive. The masks at the top, like little thought bubbles, add another layer of narrative. Gestel isn’t trying to hide his process, he's letting the drawing breathe, isn't he? Gestel’s work reminds me a bit of Picasso, especially in the way he abstracts figures. Just like Picasso, he's not afraid to play with form, perspective, and narrative. It reminds us that art is a conversation, an ongoing dialogue across time and artists.