Zelfportret: B-1-1, 19 februari Possibly 1942

Curator: Here we have Cor van Teeseling's self-portrait, "B-1-1, 19 februari," a pencil drawing possibly dating from 1942, now held at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is its understated vulnerability. The lines are delicate, almost tentative. It feels incredibly personal, like catching a glimpse of an inner self. Curator: It’s interesting that you perceive vulnerability. During this period, van Teeseling was involved in the Dutch resistance. These images are likely connected to his personal life and, possibly, to his efforts in the fight against occupation, which affected all levels of the art world, from production, sales, display, even to how artists chose to portray themselves. Editor: Precisely. And those light, almost fragile lines—they could signify the fragility of life under such circumstances, couldn’t they? The face, rendered with such stark simplicity, reminds me of classical portraiture, stripped down to its barest essence. Are there symbolic connections with stoicism perhaps? Curator: It's difficult to say definitively without more context about this work in particular. But, yes, the stoicism makes sense. Van Teeseling, like many artists at the time, had to navigate a complex and dangerous landscape, and self-representation became fraught with political implications. It would've been necessary for artists to find strength in ancient traditions. Editor: The intensity of his gaze holds particular symbolism for me; even though the lines are simple, there’s a certain knowing in those eyes, almost melancholic. Curator: That is the real strength in these difficult and stripped down circumstances, and a reflection, perhaps, of the internal state of both artist and artwork production in times of struggle. Thanks for your perspective on this striking piece, I certainly saw something new in it through your analysis. Editor: And I saw further how a visual piece is inevitably connected to the artist's reality and community!