Kalenderblad voor mei 1910 met een wit konijn met vier jongen 1909

This calendar for May 1910, by Theo van Hoytema, has a mother rabbit and her babies rendered in gentle lithographic lines. I can imagine the artist gently coaxing the image into existence. Van Hoytema probably spent a lot of time observing rabbits to capture their fluffiness and gentle nature. You can almost feel the softness of their fur, the warmth of their bodies huddled together. The calendar format also creates a feeling of time passing slowly, gently, and with an awareness of the cycles of nature. The colours are muted and earthy, but the image glows. It’s not only an image of rabbits; it's a meditation on motherhood, spring, and renewal. It makes me think about how art can be both functional and beautiful. It connects Van Hoytema to a long line of artists who were inspired by the natural world, from medieval manuscript painters to contemporary illustrators. We’re all just trying to capture a little bit of the beauty around us and share it with others.