Kalenderblad mei met twee pauwen 1903

Theo van Hoytema created this print, *Kalenderblad mei met twee pauwen*, for a calendar, employing lithography and striking color choices. Van Hoytema, working at the turn of the century, found himself amidst a time of shifting perspectives, eager to embrace new means of expression. In this piece, two white peacocks are rendered in a stylistic manner, surrounded by an Art Nouveau frame. The calendar blends functionality with aesthetic beauty. Peacocks at this time were often used as symbols of pride and beauty, and the choice to portray them in white may suggest themes of purity, luxury, or even a critique of conventional notions of beauty. The piece invites reflection on the ways in which nature, art, and daily life intertwine. There is a quietness to the work, a still moment that perhaps reflects the artist's personal quest for harmony and balance in a rapidly changing world.