Zelfportret: B-1-1, mei 1942 1942 - 1945

This is Cor van Teeseling’s self-portrait in pencil, created in May 1942. The portrait is rendered with delicate, light strokes, creating a soft, almost ethereal quality. The artist captures a sense of introspective calm through the frontal and symmetrical composition. The subtle gradations of tone emphasize the play of light and shadow across his features. The precise linearity and shading suggest a traditional, representational approach to portraiture, yet there’s a flatness that resists deep perspectival depth. The focus remains on the surface, drawing attention to the materiality of the drawing. The light touch in the rendering may reveal a certain detachment or alienation, perhaps speaking to the broader existential themes during wartime. The pencil lines serve as a system of signs, pointing to the fragility of existence. This self-portrait stands as both a personal reflection and a sign of its turbulent times.