Kalenderblad augustus met olifant 1905

This calendar page for August featuring an elephant was made by Theo van Hoytema, probably as a print or lithograph, given the flat, even tones. What strikes me is the quietness of the palette. The greens and yellows and grays have a muted, almost melancholic feel. Look at the elephant's face – it's so detailed and textured, like he built it up slowly, stroke by stroke. You can see how the lines create a sense of depth and volume. The elephant appears burdened by the headdress but also wise, like he’s seen it all before. Hoytema lets the animal take centre stage here, and almost disappears beneath the weight of those hats. There’s something surreal about the image that reminds me a little of Redon, but with a Dutch directness. Ultimately, it invites us to consider the process of how images are built up, layer by layer. The picture plane isn't just a surface, it's a record of gestures, time, and decisions.