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

Curator: This delicate self-portrait is entitled "Zelfportret: B-1-1, 31 januari," attributed to Cor van Teeseling, possibly around 1942. Note the ephemeral nature of the pencil lines on paper. Editor: My initial reaction is one of melancholy. The artist's gaze is averted, suggesting introspection or perhaps even resignation. The overall soft gray tone reinforces a sense of subdued emotion. Curator: Indeed, the restrained palette is key. The artist uses subtle gradations of tone to create volume and depth, focusing particularly on the modulation of light across the planes of the face. See how the delicate hatching builds form. Editor: And the gaze. I can't help but focus on the eyes, they hold a weight, a story. Pencil sketches often have that raw, intimate quality, as though we're glimpsing the artist's unfiltered emotional state. I'm wondering, considering this was possibly made in 1942, what symbols could represent the state of being and self at that time. Curator: Semiotically, we can read the averted gaze as a signifier of internal conflict or perhaps a conscious withdrawal from the external world. The deliberate use of line—where it strengthens and fades—creates a compelling rhythm. Editor: Right. The lines carry a certain symbolism: fading representing things left unsaid or an attempt at invisibility perhaps. Curator: And while the work appears representational, it also operates on a formal level. Notice how the artist employs negative space to define the contours of the face, creating a subtle tension between presence and absence. Editor: It's the kind of image that lingers. It’s both a personal reflection and a silent commentary on a broader cultural moment, perhaps one overshadowed by the grim realities of war. Curator: Ultimately, it reminds us that even the simplest of materials can yield profound emotional and aesthetic complexity. Editor: Absolutely. The vulnerability captured within those faint pencil strokes leaves a lasting impact.