Kalenderblad voor mei 1912 met kievitseieren en kemphanen 1911

Theo van Hoytema made this calendar page for May 1912, with lithography. Look at the unassuming charm of his mark-making; it's all about observation and careful rendering. It reminds me that artmaking is as much about seeing and recording as it is about invention. The grainy texture of the lithograph gives everything a slightly worn, almost dreamlike quality. The speckled eggs at the top have a beautiful weight, they really sit in their grassy nest. Notice the contrast between the softness of the nest and the hard geometry of the calendar grid below, softened by the surrounding daisy border. Down at the bottom, the birds themselves are little bundles of energy, each one is a unique little character. The overall effect is one of gentle observation, and reminds me a little of Audubon’s approach to depicting birds. But where Audubon is all about scientific precision, Hoytema allows space for a more whimsical, and personal touch. In art, there's always room for both!