Zelfportret: B-1-1, 23 februari Possibly 1942

Cor van Teeseling created this self-portrait with a pencil on paper on February 23rd. Teeseling, a Jewish artist living in the Netherlands during the Second World War, offers us a glimpse into his inner world amidst the rising tides of anti-Semitism and persecution. His gaze, both direct and vulnerable, invites contemplation on the weight of identity in times of crisis. The delicate strokes of the pencil capture not just his likeness, but also the emotional nuances of a man living under duress. This work gains greater resonance knowing Teeseling was deported and died at Auschwitz less than a year after completing this piece. The self-portrait becomes an act of defiance, a declaration of selfhood in the face of erasure. Ultimately, this image encapsulates the intersection of personal identity and historical forces, reminding us of the human cost of intolerance and the enduring power of art as a form of resistance.