Zes kerkuilen slapend op besneeuwde takken before 1917

Theo van Hoytema made this black ink drawing of six barn owls dozing on snow-laden branches during the late 19th or early 20th century. Hoytema lived at a time when people in the Netherlands were reconnecting with nature, and the Dutch art world was experiencing a revival. Though the image seems simple at first glance, it reflects a deep connection to the natural world. The owls huddled together against the cold evoke feelings of vulnerability and the need for community. Hoytema, who was interested in lithography and graphic design, was a socialist who believed in promoting social change through art. With their closed eyes, these birds offer a powerful metaphor for reflecting on society’s relationship with the environment and with each other. It is a call to consider our place in the natural world, reminding us that, like these owls, we are interconnected.