Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 39 works by Leo Gestel in our catalogue
In short
Woman at Makeup Table (also known as Lisette at Toilette) (1911) is the Leo Gestel painting that draws the most eyes. After it, the eye goes to Portrait of a Lady and Profile (1905) and Woman with Cigarette, hat (also known as Portrait of Lisette w Cigarette) (1911). Among the 39 works of Leo Gestel in our catalog, these 37 are the most famous, each a unique original presented with its year, its museum and the reason it endures.
A woman sits before a mirror, caught in a moment of private preparation. She wears a blue dress that catches the light, her head adorned with a hat. One hand holds a brush, while the other rests against her chin, a gesture of quiet contemplation. The room is filled with the small, necessary objects of a morning ritual: bottles of cosmetics, a bowl on the table, and the soft presence…
In this 1905 portrait, we find ourselves drawn into a private, silent space. The subject is captured in a strict profile, her gaze directed toward the left of the frame, lost in a moment of profound introspection. There is a certain weight to her stillness, a sense of melancholy that settles over the composition. The lighting is deliberate, emerging from the front and left to illuminate the delicate planes of…
The air feels heavy with the scent of tobacco and the soft rustle of fabric as she sits, poised and still. This 1911 portrait captures a woman caught in a private, fleeting instant, her presence defined by a certain modern elegance. She is seated in a chair, her form composed of geometric lines and simplified shapes that suggest the burgeoning energy of the early twentieth century. A hat rests upon…
The poet J. Rensburg sits before us, caught in a moment of quiet, structured stillness. He is a slender figure, draped in a dark, patterned suit jacket and a light-colored shirt with a high collar, his hands resting calmly in his lap. A pair of glasses rests upon his face, catching the light in a way that suggests a mind preoccupied with rhythm and meter. The air around him feels…
A solitary figure sits within a small, open-fronted structure, positioned centrally against a backdrop of stylized foliage. The composition utilizes a flattened perspective, where depth is suggested through layered planes rather than traditional vanishing points. Muted ochre, terracotta, and soft greens define the landscape, creating a quiet, earthy atmosphere. The figure remains in a contemplative pose, surrounded by small vessels and organic forms that appear both structured and organic.
In this work, titled Lady with Large Hat in Summer House, we encounter a portrait of an elegant lady with a hat. The artist, Leo Gestel, captures the subject within a setting that suggests a quiet, seasonal repose. It is a study of form and presence, focusing on the silhouette of the woman and the distinctive scale of her headwear.
This high-contrast, black and white photograph from 1915 presents a close-up, profile view of two individuals. The figures are positioned on the far left and far right edges of the frame, appearing as dark silhouettes. Their heads are turned inward, directing their gaze toward a central mass of dense, textured terrain or foliage. The composition is split between these smooth, dark human profiles and a chaotic, irregular center. This central…
Created in 1920, this work reflects the shifting tides of early 20th-century modernism. The style leans toward expressionism, where the artist uses the medium to convey an internal state rather than a mere photographic likeness. The heavy application of paint and the blurred boundaries between the figure and her environment suggest a preoccupation with the psychological weight of the subject. This is a portrait of a person caught in a…
Leo Gestel captures the seasonal transition through a highly stylized, mosaic-like application of pigment. The composition centers on a large, weeping willow-style tree, its cascading yellow foliage dominating the upper two-thirds of the canvas. To the left, a smaller tree provides balance with orange and reddish tones. The background is a dense, patterned sky composed of short, rectangular brushstrokes in alternating shades of blue, light blue, white, and peach, creating…
Bending Again (Landscape near Montfoort)1909 · Centraal Museum
12
Wooded Valley1910 · Rijksmuseum Twenthe
13
Lezende vrouw (Marie Boendermaker-Schoenmaker)1910
14
Liggend naakt1910
15
Garden View1908 · Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
16
Autumn Day1909 · Van Gogh Museum
17
Portrait of Sluyters at Work (also known as Sluyters Studio sketch)
18
Self portrait
19
DECAYING Mallorca,1914 · Groninger Museum
20
Orchard1913 · Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
21
Evening on Mallorca1914 · Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
22
Farm at Beemster1915 · Groninger Museum
23
De dichter Jac. Rensburg1913
24
Self Portrait (also known as False Color)1913
25
Trees in Mallorca1914
26
Still Life with Peonies1913
27
Olive Grove (also known as Cubist Orchard)1914
28
Untitled1920
29
Church in KoedijkChurch in Koedijk1919 · Stedelijk Museum
30
Blooming Tree1921 · Stedelijk Museum
31
Landscape at De Beemster1921 · Rijksmuseum Twenthe
32
Return from the fields1919 · Stedelijk Museum
33
Still Life with Flowers1939 · Stedelijk Museum
34
Tree in moonlight (Blue Tree)
35
Mallorca, houseKunstmuseum Den Haag
36
Gladiolen
37
Reclining nude
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Leo Gestel | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Stedelijk Museum |
Alkmaar | 6 | Portrait of a Lady and Profile, Farmstead, Church in KoedijkChurch in Koedijk |
 Rijksmuseum Twenthe |
Enschede | 3 | Landscape, Mallorca, Wooded Valley, Landscape at De Beemster |
 Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen |
Rotterdam | 3 | Garden View, Orchard, Evening on Mallorca |
 Kunstmuseum Den Haag |
The Hague | 2 | Autumn, Mallorca, house |
 Groninger Museum |
Groningen | 2 | DECAYING Mallorca,, Farm at Beemster |
 Frans Hals Museum |
Haren | 1 | Lady with Large Hat in Summer House |
 Centraal Museum |
Utrecht | 1 | Bending Again (Landscape near Montfoort) |
 Van Gogh Museum |
Amsterdam | 1 | Autumn Day |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
In this 1905 portrait, we find ourselves drawn into a private, silent space. The subject is captured in a strict profile, her gaze directed toward the left of the frame, lost in a moment of profound introspection. There is a certain weight to her stillness, a sense of melancholy that settles over the composition. The lighting is deliberate, emerging from the front and left to illuminate the delicate planes of…
A woman sits before a mirror, caught in a moment of private preparation. She wears a blue dress that catches the light, her head adorned with a hat. One hand holds a brush, while the other rests against her chin, a gesture of quiet contemplation. The room is filled with the small, necessary objects of a morning ritual: bottles of cosmetics, a bowl on the table, and the soft presence…
Created in 1920, this work reflects the shifting tides of early 20th-century modernism. The style leans toward expressionism, where the artist uses the medium to convey an internal state rather than a mere photographic likeness. The heavy application of paint and the blurred boundaries between the figure and her environment suggest a preoccupation with the psychological weight of the subject. This is a portrait of a person caught in a…
Woman at Makeup Table (also known as Lisette at Toilette) (1911). Portrait of a Lady and Profile (1905) and Woman with Cigarette, hat (also known as Portrait of Lisette w Cigarette) (1911) come next.
30 years old: Woman at Makeup Table (also known as Lisette at Toilette) dates from 1911, and Leo Gestel was born in 1881.
Woman at Makeup Table (also known as Lisette at Toilette), Portrait of a Lady and Profile, Woman with Cigarette, hat (also known as Portrait of Lisette w Cigarette), Portrait of the poet J. Rensburg, Landscape, Mallorca, Lady with Large Hat in Summer House, Farmstead, Untitled, Autumn and Amstel, Bending Weather. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 39 works by Leo Gestel, dated from 1905 to 1939.
Mostly in Stedelijk Museum (Alkmaar), Rijksmuseum Twenthe (Enschede) and Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen (Rotterdam). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1910s: 21 of the 37 works on this page were made then, Woman at Makeup Table (also known as Lisette at Toilette) among them.
On this page, the earliest is Portrait of a Lady and Profile (1905) and the latest Still Life with Flowers (1939).
Woman (5), Dark background (2) and Portrait (2), across the 37 works on this page.
Oil On Canvas, for 5 of the 37 works on this page.
Portrait of a Lady and Profile, Farmstead and Church in KoedijkChurch in Koedijk: the Stedelijk Museum, Alkmaar holds 6 of the works on this page.
Born in Woerden, Netherlands, in 1881, Leo Gestel’s life was inextricably linked to the world of art from a young age. His father, Willem Gestel, was a respected artist and director of an art school, while his uncle, Dimmen Gestel, had even collaborated with Vincent van Gogh – a lineage that undoubtedly shaped Leo's artistic trajectory. Early financial difficulties forced him into advertising work for companies like Philips, a pragmatic necessity that nonetheless provided exposure to visual communication and design, skills he would later integrate into his paintings. Gestel’s journey wasn’t one of immediate recognition; it was a gradual evolution through various movements, reflecting the dynamism of early 20th-century art.
A pivotal moment in Gestel's artistic development occurred during his time in Paris. Immersed in the vibrant avant-garde scene, he encountered artists pushing boundaries with cubism, expressionism, and futurism – movements that profoundly impacted his own style. The influence of Herwarth Walden’s “Erster Deutscher Herbstsalon” in 1913 proved particularly significant, offering him a platform to showcase his evolving work alongside other innovative European artists. This exposure ignited a desire for experimentation and a willingness to break from traditional artistic conventions.
Gestel’s oeuvre is remarkably diverse, encompassing landscapes, evocative self-portraits, and meticulously rendered still lifes. He wasn't confined to a single style; instead, he masterfully blended influences, creating works that are both intensely personal and broadly representative of the era. His self-portraits, in particular, offer intimate glimpses into his psyche – often characterized by a quiet confidence juxtaposed with moments of introspective contemplation. Landscapes frequently feature dramatic lighting and atmospheric effects, while his still lifes—particularly those depicting gladioli—burst with vibrant color and dynamic energy, showcasing an early embrace of Fauvist principles.
A devastating event marked a turning point in Gestel’s career: a studio fire in 1929 resulted in the loss of nearly all his paintings. This catastrophe forced him to relocate to Blaricum, where he continued to paint, albeit with a diminished output and a renewed sense of urgency. Despite this setback, Gestel remained committed to exploring new techniques and pushing the boundaries of his artistic vision. The fire served as a catalyst for introspection and experimentation, leading to works that retain a raw emotional intensity.
Leo Gestel’s contribution to Dutch modernism is undeniable. His work, characterized by its bold colors, expressive brushwork, and exploration of psychological themes, holds a significant place in the country's artistic heritage. His paintings are now housed in prominent museums across the Netherlands, including the Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar, the Drents Museum, and the Kröller-Müller Museum, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire and captivate audiences. Gestel’s willingness to embrace diverse influences and his unwavering commitment to artistic innovation cemented his position as a pivotal figure in the development of 20th-century art.
