Zelfportret: B-1-1, 5 maart Possibly 1942 - 1945

Editor: Here we have Cor van Teeseling’s "Self-Portrait: B-1-1, 5 March," made sometime between 1942 and 1945. It's a pencil drawing with quite a raw and honest feel. The expression seems both weary and a little defiant. What symbols or cultural meanings do you see layered into this portrait? Curator: Indeed, the weariness is palpable, but so is something… else. I immediately note the beret. Berets carry a multitude of symbolic meanings across cultures and time, from artistic expression to military affiliation, even revolutionary undertones. Here, in this context, what might it signify for van Teeseling? Editor: I hadn’t considered the beret specifically. Perhaps it suggests an association with intellectual or artistic circles? Or maybe even resistance, given the historical period? Curator: Precisely! The self-portrait emerges during a time of immense upheaval. This small detail contributes significantly to how we perceive the sitter's self-representation, a possible coded visual language in dangerous times. The gaze, too, is direct, unflinching, as if acknowledging a weight witnessed by both the artist and us. Editor: It’s amazing how a single element can hold so much potential meaning! I’m seeing so much more in this image now. Thanks! Curator: The beauty lies in understanding how even subtle visual choices create layers of interpretation. A single garment becomes a powerful communicator. This enriches our perception and empathy towards a man caught within history’s relentless flow.