Zelfportret: B-1-1, 11 januari

Cor van Teeseling made this self-portrait in pencil on paper on January 11th of an unknown year. Van Teeseling, born in 1915, died at only 27 years old. As a young man in the Netherlands during the rise of fascism, his identity was undoubtedly shaped by the looming shadow of war. This self-portrait offers a glimpse into his inner world. The delicate pencil lines capture a face that is both youthful and contemplative. His eyes, rendered with particular care, meet the viewer's gaze with an intensity that hints at a deep self-awareness. The details of his clothing, a simple collar and tie, suggest a striving for respectability, perhaps a desire to present himself in a certain light to the world. Yet, there is also a vulnerability in the sketchiness of the lines, as if the portrait is not quite finished, not yet fully formed. What does it mean to make a self-portrait during times of upheaval? How do we perform identity?