Zelfportret: B-1-1, 17 januari Possibly 1942

This is a pencil self-portrait made on January 17th by Cor van Teeseling. What I find interesting about this self-portrait is how little information we’re given, almost as if the artist wanted to create a ghost of an image. The artist coaxes the image out of the page with very light marks. Look how lightly he caresses the paper to create the illusion of shadow and depth. It's like he's barely there, you know? The texture of the paper is visible underneath the drawing, which adds another layer to its story. The lines are tentative and almost fragile, which to me only emphasizes the fleeting nature of existence. It reminds me of the work of Agnes Martin, who also used very light marks to create a sense of calm and contemplation. In the end, art is all about that conversation between the artist, the materials, and the viewer.