Zelfportret: B-1-1 Possibly 1941 - 1948

Curator: Here we have Cor van Teeseling's "Self-portrait: B-1-1," a compelling piece from sometime between 1941 and 1948. It's a pencil drawing, currently residing here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by this raw, almost melancholic feel. It's a face emerging from a soft grey void, the details so intimate and fragile. You can almost feel the graphite on the paper. Curator: Yes, the use of pencil allows for a remarkable delicacy. Self-portraits, of course, have a long history, serving as both a means of self-exploration for the artist and a statement to the viewer. Looking at the symbolism embedded, it appears vulnerable and intense. The slightly downcast gaze and the soft shading might indicate a moment of introspection or even uncertainty. Editor: I see that. I wonder what he was grappling with at the time. Those heavy-lidded eyes suggest fatigue, or perhaps a profound sadness. It’s funny, even without vibrant color, it speaks volumes about the inner landscape of this person, it creates a vivid image of how this person may have been feeling. Curator: Absolutely, and the apparent lack of contextual detail – no background, just the face – focuses our attention entirely on his expression. In that sense it pulls us into his psychological state. Perhaps he aims to represent pure subjectivity and an unfettered sense of the soul. Editor: Perhaps. To me it hints that there might be more he's unwilling to share. Is that an artist's intention, or just my interpretation? Curator: The ambiguity itself is the piece’s power, wouldn't you agree? Its universality allows a deeper engagement with our personal memories of intense emotional experience and of course, existential dread. Editor: Fair enough, It really makes you consider your own self-perception. It stays with you, doesn’t it? Curator: It does indeed. Thank you for lending your perspective. Editor: Thanks for the history.