Tekstblad met uil bij een muizenhol 1892

"Tekstblad met uil bij een muizenhol" (1892) by Theo van Hoytema depicts a watchful owl perched on a branch, its large, expressive eyes fixed on a mouse hole. This pen and ink drawing, housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a charming illustration for a children's story, capturing the owl's silent vigil in a detailed yet simple style. Van Hoytema's artwork exemplifies the popular genre of animal illustrations in the late 19th century, a period that witnessed a growing interest in nature and its inhabitants.