Vignet voor De Gemeenschap (ontwerp) c. 1935

Leo Gestel made this drawing, "Vignet voor De Gemeenschap," with pen and ink, and its energetic lines capture a bullfighting scene. Imagine Gestel’s hand moving quickly across the paper, the ink almost dancing as it forms the shapes of the matador and the bull. I imagine the artist making quick, decisive marks—the kind that come from looking intensely, trying to capture the essence of a fleeting moment. The lines vary in thickness, some bold and confident, others thin and tentative, suggesting a process of searching and finding. I wonder what Gestel was thinking about as he made this work? Maybe he was drawn to the drama and tension of the bullfight, or perhaps he was interested in the interplay of light and shadow on the figures. Gestel's drawing reminds me of other artists who have used line to create a sense of movement and energy, like Picasso or Matisse. These artists are in constant conversation with each other, and Gestel’s work adds another voice to that dialogue.