Orchideeën before 1917

Theo van Hoytema made this print of orchids, sometime in his life, using lithography. It's all about the interplay of light and dark. Hoytema really lets the velvety black ink sit on the paper, contrasting the delicacy of the orchid against the mysterious depths of its background. Look at the way he renders each petal – some are sharp and defined, others fade into a soft blur. The textures are incredible, from the smooth, waxy leaves to the intricate patterns of the smaller plants nestled behind. It’s almost photographic in its detail, but there’s something more going on here, like he’s really celebrating the process of image-making. Think of someone like M.C. Escher, another Dutch artist who explored the possibilities of lithography, but Hoytema is less about optical illusions and more about capturing the essence of nature. It’s a reminder that art isn’t just about representing the world, but also about transforming it through process.