Zelfportret met alpinopet - Cor van Teeseling

A 1942 self-portrait by Dutch artist Cor van Teeseling, rendered in red chalk on paper with a focus on structural form and introspective character.

This self-portrait by the Dutch artist Cor van Teeseling, executed in 1942, demonstrates a disciplined approach to the medium of red chalk. The work captures the artist in a beret, a common accessory for painters of the period, rendered with a focus on structural clarity rather than atmospheric effect. The choice of sanguine chalk on a warm, toned paper provides a consistent tonal range, allowing the artist to build volume through subtle hatching and cross-hatching techniques.

The composition is tightly cropped, focusing entirely on the facial features and the drape of the clothing around the neck. Van Teeseling employs a measured line quality, avoiding excessive flourish to maintain a sense of direct observation. The gaze is steady and contemplative, typical of the introspective nature often found in mid-twentieth-century self-portraiture. The artist's signature and the date are visible in the lower right corner, confirming the work's provenance within his personal archive.

As a study, this piece offers insight into the technical proficiency of Van Teeseling during the early 1940s. The use of red chalk, a medium with a long history in European drawing, allows for a soft transition between light and shadow. The artist balances the weight of the beret against the softer folds of the collar, creating a stable, balanced image. This print captures the texture of the original paper and the specific hue of the chalk, providing an accurate representation of the artist's hand. It is a quiet, focused work that documents the artist's appearance during a specific moment in his career.