Zelfportret met alpinopet en sjaal: B-1-1, 24 februari Possibly 1942

Editor: This is Cor van Teeseling’s "Self-portrait with Alpine Cap and Scarf," made with pencil, possibly in 1942. It’s currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. It looks like the artist is staring directly at the viewer, and the drawing is quite delicate, with fine lines and subtle shading. I am struck by how somber and intimate it feels. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: What resonates most is the presumed date, 1942. The Netherlands were occupied. The delicate line work, as you noted, speaks volumes. There is an internal, reflective quality to this self-portrait. Van Teeseling isn't presenting a heroic figure; instead, we see a quiet contemplation. Does that sensitivity relate to its historic context? What message does this intimate portrayal of the artist share with the viewer? Editor: I never would have immediately connected its intimacy with the Occupation. Knowing that historical background makes it feel more poignant. Did artistic representation or availability change drastically because of political restrictions? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the suppression of artistic freedom, the restrictions on materials, the forced participation in Nazi-approved art organizations. Creating a simple, intimate self-portrait in pencil could be interpreted as a quiet act of resistance, a preservation of individual identity amidst a world trying to erase it. Van Teeseling may have been saying: "They can control the world, but they cannot control what I see within myself." Editor: So it's not just a portrait of an individual, but maybe a subtle assertion of freedom. The more we look, the more complex it becomes. Curator: Precisely. By looking beyond the aesthetic and considering the social and political climate, the work transforms. It is in quiet self-reflection that freedom might subsist, and hope endure. Editor: I’ll certainly carry that perspective with me. It makes you realize the power art can hold, especially in difficult times. Curator: And the crucial role museums play in preserving these complex narratives.