Kalenderblad september met watervogels tussen het riet 1916

Theo van Hoytema made this calendar page for September with watercolors, and you can see the delicate washes of green and grey that bring a sense of calm. I imagine van Hoytema patiently observing the subtle movements of light on water, the way reeds sway, and the quiet activity of the birds. You can almost feel the cool air of early autumn, can't you? Those little ducks bobbing along look very cute! There’s a gentle humour in the simple shapes he uses to mark the days, each one topped with a little bird. It reminds me of Joan Miró's playful approach to form, or maybe even some of Saul Steinberg's drawings! And I wonder, wouldn't it be great to make a calendar myself? It’s such a lovely way of connecting art with everyday life; a reminder that beauty can be found in the simplest things, just like how artists keep the conversation alive through their work.