Zelfportret, september 1942 1942 - 1949

Cor van Teeseling drew this self-portrait in September 1942 with pencil on paper. Look closely. You can see how the pencil marks build up to create the form, a delicate, tender process. The texture of the paper is visible beneath the light strokes of graphite, adding a tactile quality to the image. The artist’s gaze is soft yet direct, inviting a quiet connection. Notice the detailed rendering of the hair, where individual strands are carefully delineated, contrasting with the more blurred areas of the face. The graphite is smudged in places, blurring the edges of the forms and lending the portrait a hazy, dreamlike quality. The subtle gradations of tone create depth and volume, giving the face a three-dimensional presence. I'm reminded of Lucian Freud’s early drawings in the delicacy and intimacy of this portrait. Both artists understand that art is an ongoing conversation, embracing ambiguity and multiple interpretations.