Zelfportret met pet:, maart 1942 1942 - 1943

Cor van Teeseling made this self-portrait in March 1942, using graphite pencil on paper. Graphite, a readily available material, has been used for centuries to create drawings, and it allows for a wide range of tonal values. The artist has skillfully used shading and line work to define the contours of his face, hat, and collar. The soft texture of the graphite creates a subtle, almost ethereal quality. Look closely, and you can see the delicate gradations of tone, building depth and volume. The subtle variations in pressure and angle, crucial for achieving this effect, testify to the artist's proficiency. The act of drawing itself involves a direct engagement with the material. The artist's hand guides the pencil across the surface, leaving behind traces of graphite. The intensive labor involved in creating this image, born of simple materials, is a testament to the rich possibilities that lie within so-called 'simple' materials. It blurs the lines between fine art and craft, reminding us that true artistry lies in how materials are handled and worked.