Zelfportret: B-1-1, mei 1942 1942 - 1945

Editor: So, this is "Self-Portrait: B-1-1, May 1942," made between 1942 and 1945, currently held at the Rijksmuseum, created by Cor van Teeseling. It’s a pencil drawing, and there’s something so fragile about the lines... what stands out to you? Curator: The economy of line is indeed striking. Notice how the artist uses only the barest suggestion of form to create a likeness. The interplay of light and shadow, achieved solely through varying pressure of the pencil, models the face. Where do you see the greatest tonal contrast? Editor: Definitely around the hair and eyes; it seems to bring focus to his gaze, yet it’s a soft focus. I think he captured the volume with remarkable detail, though it seems simple. Curator: Precisely. The artist deploys a remarkable efficiency in representing form. The hatching technique in the hair contrasts subtly with the smoother rendering of the skin. The absence of background is also noteworthy, placing sole emphasis on the face, which almost feels floating on the page. Did the title "B-1-1" call to mind anything? Editor: To be honest, I assumed it could be the prisoner number for identification? It could represent something. Would this relate to his method of representation? Curator: A valid interpretation. The systematic designation "B-1-1" contrasted with the artistic rendering brings forth a tension between dehumanization and personal expression. Also, how would you interpret the lines as the expression? Editor: Now that I think about it, maybe the frailty of the line mirrors a sense of vulnerability in the subject. The portrait looks both directly ahead but seems somewhat detached from his context. Curator: An astute observation. By focusing purely on form, line, and tonal values, and stripping it bare in some fashion, the artwork expresses beyond simple representation. Editor: It is truly thought-provoking how seemingly simple choices can speak volumes. I initially felt something when I saw the work, but now I have words to it. Curator: Yes, indeed. I enjoyed unpacking the forms with you today.