Christmas Eve (Kerstnacht) 1894

Theodorus van Hoytema made this print, "Christmas Eve," using lithography, a process notable for its capacity to translate an artist's hand directly onto paper. With lithography, the image is drawn onto a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then chemically treated so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. In this case, the graphic black ink has been applied to paper. Look closely, and you'll see how the velvety blacks create depth and texture, especially in the owls’ plumage and the night sky. Hoytema was deeply involved in the Arts and Crafts movement, and this print reflects that sensibility through its stylized natural forms and meticulous detail. The process allowed for the wide distribution of images, aligning with the movement’s democratic ideals of making art accessible to all. However, it also involved skilled labor, from the artist's own drawing to the printer's expertise in transferring the image, reminding us of the intersection of artistic vision and craft. Hoytema’s “Christmas Eve” encourages us to consider how making processes contribute to the social and cultural meanings of art.