Zelfportret, 17 mei Possibly 1942 - 1945

Editor: This is Cor van Teeseling’s "Self-portrait, 17 mei," potentially made between 1942 and 1945. It's a delicate pencil drawing. There's a raw quality to the lines; I find it quite vulnerable. What's your take on it? Curator: Considering the period it was created, between 1942-1945, during World War II, I look at the very *making* of this portrait. Graphite wasn’t just a neutral material then; obtaining it, and paper, would have been a challenge. The act of self-representation during wartime raises interesting questions about survival, identity, and the very basic human need for creation and expression. Does this drawing transcend its own time? Editor: That's fascinating. So the simple act of acquiring materials becomes a statement itself? Is that what you mean? Curator: Exactly! The materials themselves and the labor involved become intrinsically linked to the socio-political context. A pencil line, a subtle shadow: each one becomes a testament to the artist's perseverance. How was this paper sourced? Was this work produced in the open or in hiding? Was the process of mark making a challenge because the act was prohibited? Editor: That totally shifts my perspective. It's no longer just a face; it’s about the means and conditions of its production! Curator: Precisely. By examining the materiality and process, we uncover layers of meaning beyond just visual representation. How can we re-evaluate historical categories of fine art by engaging this perspective of materials? Editor: That’s given me so much to consider about not just this work, but how I look at everything! Curator: Indeed! Examining art through a materialist lens really exposes the intersection of art, labor, and the social landscape of its time.