Wasgoed met briefje - Cor van Teeseling

A precise graphite study of laundry and a handwritten note, captured by Dutch artist Cor van Teeseling in 1942.

This graphite study by the Dutch artist Cor van Teeseling, dated 21 February 1942, captures a mundane domestic subject with precise observation. The composition focuses on a pile of laundry, rendered with soft shading that suggests the weight and texture of the fabric. A small note, bearing the inscription 'C.G. van Teesling B-1-1 21-2-42', is pinned or tucked into the folds of the cloth, providing a specific temporal and personal context to the work. The artist employs a delicate range of grey tones to define the contours and shadows of the textile, creating a sense of volume against the plain background.

Van Teeseling, active in the Netherlands during the mid-twentieth century, often turned his attention to the objects within his immediate environment. This drawing reflects a quiet, observational approach to art-making, where the artist finds interest in the arrangement of everyday items. The inclusion of the date and the specific reference on the note suggests this may have been part of a larger inventory or a personal record of the artist's daily life during the war years. The technique is restrained, relying on subtle transitions of tone rather than bold lines to build the form. The work remains a clear example of the artist's ability to elevate a simple household scene through careful draughtsmanship and a focus on light and shadow. It offers a glimpse into the private practice of an artist working in a period of significant social upheaval, where the domestic sphere became a primary subject for artistic inquiry.