Envelop voor kalender 1902 1901

This is Theo van Hoytema’s 1902 envelope for a calendar, a lithograph now held in the Rijksmuseum. The envelope presents itself with understated elegance. Its pale beige tone serves as a canvas for the simple yet striking design. A rectangular frame, rendered in a warm terracotta hue, anchors the composition at the lower left. Within, the word “Kalender” sits above the year “1902,” flanked by stylized squirrel figures. The visual language is one of careful balance. Hoytema’s choice of form and colour functions here as a sign. The muted tones and symmetrical arrangement of elements suggest an affinity with early modernist aesthetics. The repeated squirrels not only animate the design but also imply themes of foresight and preparation. The envelope is not merely a container but a statement on time, nature, and the artistry of everyday life. It invites us to reconsider the interplay between form and function, sign and substance.