Zelfportret: B-1-1, 15 februari Possibly 1942

Cor van Teeseling made this self-portrait with what looks like a sanguine pencil on a piece of paper one day in February. It feels like the artist is searching for the self, trying to make something solid out of fleeting impressions. The marks are tentative and soft, like he’s gently coaxing his own image onto the page. Look at the lines around his eyes, the way they hint at depth and shadow, but never quite commit. It’s as though he’s saying, “This is me, but only for now.” You can see the influence of artists like Leonardo da Vinci in the delicate rendering of light and shadow. But there’s also a vulnerability here, an openness that feels very modern. It reminds me of other artists who explored self-portraiture as a means of self-discovery, like Egon Schiele or Paula Modersohn-Becker. Ultimately, this drawing is a reminder that art is always a conversation. It’s about looking, responding, and adding your own voice to the mix.