Zelfportret, 9 mei Possibly 1942 - 1949

Cor van Teeseling made this self-portrait in pencil on May 9th. It's all about the surface, isn’t it? I mean, look at that pencil work. It's not trying to hide itself, is it? You can see every little mark, the direction of the strokes, how hard he pressed. It's honest, like he's saying, "Here's the process, here's how it's done." And that soft grey? It's not trying to be flashy or showy. It's more about mood, and a kind of quiet introspection. See how the hair is built up with these tiny, nervous lines? It gives it a real sense of volume, but also a kind of vulnerability. It reminds me of Lucian Freud’s drawings, that same intensity, that same commitment to showing the truth, even if it's not always pretty. It embraces the awkwardness. It's not about perfection, it's about the real.