About the Artist
Leo Gestel was a pioneering Dutch modernist known for his innovative approach to painting, drawing, and graphic design. Throughout his career, Gestel engaged with the leading art movements of his time, including Fauvism, Cubism, and Expressionism, and became a central figure in the Dutch avant-garde. His willingness to experiment with form and composition helped shape the trajectory of modern art in the Netherlands during the early twentieth century.
The Artwork
Created in 1925, Three Horses reflects a period when European artists were reinterpreting traditional subjects through the lens of modernism. Rather than focusing on narrative or detailed realism, Gestel uses the horse motif as a means to explore abstraction, movement, and the expressive potential of line. This work stands as a testament to the era's fascination with distilling familiar subjects to their essential forms, inviting viewers to reconsider the boundaries between figuration and abstraction.
Style & Characteristics
The composition features three horses rendered in bold, black lines against a pale background. Gestel employs minimal, confident strokes to define the animals, allowing their forms to overlap and interact dynamically. The absence of color and background detail draws attention to the rhythmic flow of the lines, creating a sense of motion and unity among the figures. This restrained, monochrome palette places the work comfortably among black and white prints and makes it a striking example within animal wall art.
In Interior Design
This art print lends a sophisticated, graphic touch to a variety of interiors, from minimalist and Scandinavian spaces to more eclectic or traditional rooms. Its clean lines and neutral tones make it easy to pair with natural materials like wood or stone, as well as with other minimalist wall decor. Whether displayed in a living room, office, or hallway, the piece offers a sense of calm energy and timeless style.
