Zelfportret: B-1-1, 9 maart

This is Cor van Teeseling's self-portrait, made with a pencil on March 9th, sometime before his death in 1942. Van Teeseling’s delicate lines capture the essence of a young man against the backdrop of World War II, a period marked by immense political and social upheaval. The soft strokes and understated tones create a sense of vulnerability, reflecting the tumultuous emotions of a life cut short. As a Jewish artist in Nazi-occupied Europe, van Teeseling lived under constant threat. This drawing becomes a poignant act of self-preservation, a defiant assertion of identity in the face of erasure. The work is not just a rendering of physical features; it is an intimate glimpse into the artist's soul, a quiet testament to resilience amidst despair. Consider the courage it must have taken to create this self-portrait, knowing the dangers that surrounded him. It speaks to the power of art as a means of resistance and remembrance, a way to keep the spirit alive when all else seems lost.