Zelfportret: B-1-1, 2 maart Possibly 1942 - 1943

Cor van Teeseling sketched this self-portrait in pencil on paper, its stark lines and shading hinting at a deeper psychological landscape. The eyes, so meticulously drawn, possess a penetrating gaze reminiscent of ancient Roman portrait busts, where the "eyes as the window to the soul" motif prevailed, reflecting inner virtue and character. Notice how this intense focus echoes through centuries. The direct, unflinching gaze invites introspection, compelling us to confront not only the artist’s self-perception but also our own vulnerabilities and truths. This symbol of the gaze evolves, shifting from a marker of status in antiquity to a mirror reflecting the turbulent inner world of the modern self. The act of self-portraiture itself is an exploration of identity, a primal urge to understand and immortalize the self, resonating with our collective quest for meaning and permanence. This drawing reminds us that every line, every shadow, carries the weight of personal and collective history.