Zelfportret staand met schetsboek: B-1-1, 23 februari Possibly 1942

Cor van Teeseling made this self-portrait with a sketchbook in pencil, its date listed as February 23rd. I find myself drawn to the artist’s sensitive mark-making, particularly how he renders the planes of his face with a delicate, almost tentative touch, as though he is feeling his way across his own features. The varying pressure of the pencil creates a subtle interplay of light and shadow, animating the surface. Look at the area around the eyes – see how the soft smudging of graphite suggests both depth and a hint of melancholy? The shawl draped around his shoulders has an unfinished quality that lends the drawing an intimate, vulnerable feel, like a fleeting glimpse into the artist’s private world. It reminds me of other artists preoccupied with exploring their inner lives through self-portraiture, like Käthe Kollwitz, who also used drawing as a way to confront personal and societal struggles. It’s a powerful reminder that art is often about embracing uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations, and engaging in an ongoing dialogue with oneself and the world.