Zelfportret en face met pet: B-1-1, 26 januari Possibly 1942

Cor van Teeseling made this self-portrait in pencil on January 26th, sometime in the early 1940s. Pencil, it's such a humble material. It's amazing how a simple tool can capture such a delicate expression. Look at the subtle shading around the eyes and mouth; there's a real gentleness. It's not about perfection; it’s about feeling. The texture of the paper comes through, giving it a raw, unfinished quality. The lines aren't crisp or defined, but they're full of energy. There’s something almost melancholic about it, don’t you think? This piece reminds me of other self-portraits I have seen by artists like Egon Schiele, who used simple and direct marks to show emotion. Art is a conversation, and Teeseling adds something special to it. His portrait invites us to slow down and see the beauty in the everyday.