Zelfportret: B-1-1, 13 februari - Cor van Teeseling

A sensitive self-portrait in sanguine chalk by Dutch artist Cor van Teeseling, dated 1942, capturing a moment of quiet, direct observation.

This self-portrait by the Dutch artist Cor van Teeseling, dated 13 February 1942, captures a moment of quiet introspection. Executed in sanguine chalk, the work demonstrates the artist's technical control over the medium. The reddish-brown pigment allows for a range of tonal values, from the delicate hatching used to define the contours of the face to the softer, blended areas that suggest the play of light across the skin.

The composition focuses on the artist's head and shoulders, presented in a three-quarter view. The gaze is directed towards the viewer, creating a direct engagement that feels both personal and observational. Van Teeseling uses the texture of the paper to his advantage, allowing the grain to interact with the chalk strokes. The clothing is rendered with minimal detail, ensuring that the viewer's attention remains fixed on the facial features and the expression of the subject.

Van Teeseling was active during a period of significant change in European art. His approach here reflects a disciplined adherence to traditional portraiture techniques, prioritising anatomical accuracy and psychological presence over stylistic experimentation. The inclusion of the date and reference code in the lower corner provides a clear record of the work's origin, typical of an artist who maintained a rigorous studio practice. This print offers an opportunity to observe the nuances of mid-twentieth-century portrait drawing, where the economy of line and the warmth of the sanguine palette combine to produce a clear, human likeness.