Kalenderblad voor maart 1914 met een kraai 1913

Theo van Hoytema created this color lithograph calendar for March 1914 in the Netherlands. At first glance, it seems a simple celebration of nature with its crow, flowers, and pastel hues. Yet, calendar art, particularly in the early 20th century, served a vital social function. Consider the context: mass production was booming. The Dutch economy was surging. Calendars like this weren't just functional; they were affordable art, bringing aesthetic enjoyment into everyday homes and businesses. The Rijksmuseum, an institution dedicated to preserving Dutch heritage, now holds this calendar, which elevates its status from ephemera to cultural artifact. Hoytema's choice of a crow is interesting too. It connects to Dutch folklore, where crows are often symbols of wisdom and memory, as well as harbingers of change. So, while seemingly decorative, this calendar silently participates in the social dialogue of its time. To fully grasp its meaning, we'd delve into Dutch social history, exploring the rise of consumer culture and the evolving relationship with nature. Through institutional archives, we can understand art's power to reflect and shape society.