Zelfportret en face: B-1-1, 31 januari Possibly 1942

This is Cor van Teeseling's self-portrait, made with graphite on paper on January 31st, 1940. The artist has captured his likeness with an economy of means. Graphite, after all, is among the humblest of art materials. Yet, its very ordinariness lends this image its power. Van Teeseling’s precise control over line weight allows him to build up the image through careful gradations. Notice how the subtle shading around the eyes and mouth conveys a sense of quiet introspection. He is looking inward, a young man facing an uncertain future. The choice of graphite also speaks to the artist's engagement with the social realities of his time. During the interwar period, many artists turned away from the perceived excesses of oil painting. They embraced drawing as a more direct, accessible medium, one that could capture the everyday lives of ordinary people. In this light, Van Teeseling’s self-portrait can be seen as a poignant reflection on the artist's place in a rapidly changing world. It’s a reminder that even the simplest of materials can be used to create profound and moving works of art.