Zelfportret: B-1-1, april 1942 1942 - 1944

Cor van Teeseling drew this self portrait in April 1942, using graphite on paper. Look at the subtly and control of his draughtsmanship. The texture is so gentle it’s almost like he’s breathing onto the page, caressing it with graphite, you can almost feel the softness of his skin. I’m drawn to the eyes, the way he’s captured a certain depth and intensity with such minimal means. Each tiny line carefully considered and placed, building tone and volume with a kind of quiet precision. The graphite softly blooms over the page, the marks are incredibly subtle, and yet, when you step back it’s so lifelike. It reminds me of Lucian Freud's drawings, that same forensic attention to detail and unflinching gaze. Drawing, like life, is full of ambiguity, it’s about seeing and feeling, and trusting the process.