Kalenderblad voor juni 1912 met een kolonie meeuwen 1911

Theo van Hoytema made this calendar page for June 1912, picturing a colony of seagulls, and let me tell you, it's got this totally charming, slightly quirky vibe. The muted palette of greens and grays makes the whole thing feel like a hazy summer day. I imagine Van Hoytema hunched over his work, carefully outlining each blade of grass and feather, trying to capture the stillness of the marsh and the relaxed pose of the birds. Look at that one seagull stretching its wings! It's such a simple gesture, but it brings so much life to the scene. It reminds me of Egon Schiele's animals, they have this beautiful sensitivity. Van Hoytema might have been thinking about Japanese prints, too, with the way he flattens the space and focuses on delicate lines. It's like he’s inviting us to slow down and appreciate the small, quiet moments of nature, and the passing of time.