Kalenderblad voor september 1914 met een eend op het water 1913

This calendar page for September 1914, by Theo van Hoytema, features an illustration of a duck on water, rendered with incredibly fine pen lines. Can you imagine him, hunched over his desk, carefully drawing each line to create the illusion of texture and depth? The duck bobs serenely on the pond, framed by leaves above and a bed of mushrooms below, while the calendar grid is interspersed with tiny symbolic illustrations. I really appreciate how he combined functionality with nature. The artist was known for his lithographs of birds and nature. His work reflects a love of detail, and a sensitivity to tonal qualities, reminiscent of Japanese prints. I think he was also friends with other artists of his time; you can see the influence of his contemporaries in his work. The natural world has always been a source of inspiration for artists and continues to evolve. Van Hoytema’s calendar reminds us that art can be found in the everyday, inviting us to observe the beauty around us.