Zelfportret: B-1-1, 27 februari - Cor van Teeseling

A direct and introspective graphite self-portrait by Dutch artist Cor van Teeseling, dated 1942, showcasing precise draughtsmanship and structural shading.

This self-portrait by the Dutch artist Cor van Teeseling, dated 27 February 1942, offers a direct and unadorned study of the artist's own features. Executed in graphite on paper, the work demonstrates a disciplined approach to draughtsmanship, focusing on the structural integrity of the human face. The artist employs a series of controlled, parallel strokes to build volume, particularly across the cheekbones and the bridge of the nose, where the shading suggests a singular light source from the left.

The composition is tightly cropped, placing the subject in a three-quarter view that directs the gaze slightly away from the viewer. Van Teeseling captures a sense of introspection, with the eyes rendered in fine detail against the broader, more gestural shading of the surrounding facial planes. The hair is depicted with sweeping, rhythmic lines that follow the contours of the skull, providing a contrast to the more static, modelled surfaces of the face.

As a piece of personal documentation, the drawing reflects the technical rigour common to the period. The artist's signature and the specific date are inscribed in the lower right corner, a practice that aligns with the tradition of maintaining a chronological record of one's artistic output. The paper shows signs of age, with slight discolouration at the edges, which adds a tactile quality to the work. This portrait provides a clear example of the artist's ability to balance anatomical accuracy with a personal, expressive touch, avoiding unnecessary embellishment in favour of a clear, honest representation of the self.