Zelfportret: B-1-1, 12 februari Possibly 1942

Editor: So, this is Cor van Teeseling's "Self-Portrait: B-1-1, 12 February," possibly from 1942, a graphite drawing. I’m struck by the vulnerability conveyed through such a simple medium. What do you see in this piece beyond the artist's likeness? Curator: I'm interested in the materiality here. Graphite on paper—seemingly humble materials. But think about it: graphite, refined from raw carbon, the very stuff of life, used to create an image in wartime. What does it say about resource allocation, artistic production amidst scarcity, or even the role of drawing as a readily available form of expression under occupation? Editor: That’s interesting! I hadn't considered the impact of war on something as simple as art supplies. It really makes me think about how limited his resources were during that time. Curator: Exactly! Consider the labor involved. Each delicate line, meticulously placed, suggesting a sustained engagement with the self and the artistic process. The work embodies not only representation but also an active artistic meditation using limited material. It is a work of necessity and contemplation. Is this not realism pushed to its limits, focusing our gaze onto the artist, his tools, and what he chose to represent at that very moment? Editor: I see what you mean! Thinking about the graphite and the paper itself makes the image seem almost... tactile, bringing the creation process closer to us. Curator: Indeed! So much history is captured with what many may see as a basic medium. The drawing transcends the limitations of its materials and gives voice to the subject by way of what’s available and what is prioritized by the artist during uncertain times. Editor: I never would have considered this portrait in this light without thinking through its medium! Thanks for this point of view. Curator: And I am grateful to hear your insightful reflections on this image. I learned something too!