Gestel and De Smet's Colorful Friendship at Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar

Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar presents 'Gestel en De Smet – kleurrijke vriendschap', an exhibition exploring the artistic exchange between Dutch painter Leo Gestel (1881-1941) and Belgian painter Gustave De Smet (1877-1943). The show pairs works such as Gestel's 'Aardappelrooien' (1926) and De Smet's 'De aardappeloogst' (ca. 1930), as well as Gestel's 'Liggend naakt' (1929) and De Smet's 'De zomer' (1925), highlighting their shared subjects and evolving styles. During a stay at Gestel's home, De Smet adopted elements of Gestel's cubist approach, while Gestel embraced bolder colors. The exhibition design uses vivid wall colors to enhance the dialogue, with side-by-side displays making influences immediately visible.