Zelfportret, april 1942 1942 - 1944

Cor van Teeseling made this self-portrait in April 1942 with graphite on paper. The drawing has this tentative, searching quality, like he's feeling his way through the image. It reminds me that every mark, every decision is a step in a process. Look at the way he built up the shadows under his chin and around his eyes. You can almost feel the pressure of the pencil, the slight variations in tone as he layers line upon line. It is as if he is not just depicting himself, but also capturing something more ephemeral, like a mood or a feeling. The marks give a sense of immediacy and intimacy. There’s a kind of raw honesty to the piece, echoing other artists like Lucian Freud who also knew how to strip away the facade and reveal something essential about the human condition. Ultimately, the beauty of art lies in its ability to be so many things at once, a mirror, a window, and a conversation.