Kalenderblad voor oktober 1912 met trekvogels langs een dijk en meeuwen 1911

Theo van Hoytema created this calendar page for October 1912, depicting migratory birds along a dyke, using lithography. Hoytema, who positioned himself as a champion of nature, had a deep connection to the landscapes of the Netherlands, particularly its birdlife. His work emerged during a period of growing industrialization and urbanization, a time when many felt a sense of alienation from the natural world. In this context, Hoytema’s choice to focus on birds, especially migratory ones, can be seen as a response to these societal shifts. There is a sense of longing and freedom, as the birds in flight symbolize a yearning for escape and connection with nature. The calendar format adds another layer, intertwining the rhythms of nature with the structure of human time. As we observe these birds, we might reflect on our own place within the larger cycles of nature.