Kalenderblad augustus met zonnebloemen 1902

Theo van Hoytema made this calendar page for August with sunflowers sometime around the turn of the last century, using lithography. It’s all about the process of building up images with layers, and the artist’s hand is so evident. The colour palette here is so interesting, it’s like a muted, earthy take on summer. Look closely at the way the yellow of the petals contrasts with the dark seed head, almost like a shadow. And then, the snails! They're everywhere, clinging to the calendar grid, leaving their trails. I love how van Hoytema uses this sort of humble creature to frame something as mundane as a calendar. It’s like he’s saying, even in the everyday, there’s beauty and wonder if you just slow down and look. Think of Odilon Redon, who also found the weird and wonderful in the natural world. This calendar isn't just about marking time; it's about noticing the world around you.