Zelfportret: B-1-1, 28 februari Possibly 1942

Curator: Well, here we have Cor van Teeseling's "Self-Portrait: B-1-1, 28 February," potentially created in 1942. It’s currently housed here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It has a stark simplicity, doesn't it? The softness of the pencil strokes creates an almost melancholic mood. Curator: I agree. Teeseling's work emerges from a historical backdrop deeply scarred by World War II. The date "February 28" might allude to a specific event or personal memory amidst the larger conflict. Editor: The emphasis on light and shadow seems particularly striking, given that it is a pencil drawing. Note the way Teeseling models the face by using layered delicate lines that create contrast around the eyes. Curator: Self-portraits during wartime often functioned as declarations of selfhood. By portraying himself, van Teeseling asserts his individual existence during a period defined by collectivized violence and the suppression of identity. Editor: You're right, and despite the historical weight, the artwork’s intimate scale—rendered just in pencil—invites a feeling of immediacy and emotional depth that perhaps wouldn't be available in another, grander medium. Curator: Exactly. Also, considering this artwork is housed at the Rijksmuseum elevates the artist's position in a space that is very much steeped in cultural history and narrative. It creates a sense of preservation. Editor: But beyond this historical contextualization, let's appreciate the inherent artistic decisions he has made. His technique evokes both vulnerability and striking intensity. This piece could really challenge the traditional notions of representation. Curator: Thinking about how artworks attain value over time offers many avenues of exploration—thank you. Editor: My pleasure; together we may learn to view even familiar artworks through both structure and setting.