Aankondiging huwelijksfeest 1890

This wedding announcement was made by Theo van Hoytema in 1890, using graphite and watercolor on paper. These are not especially precious materials, but the artist uses them to great effect. The drawing has the quality of an intimate sketch, a sense that we are seeing the artist’s hand at work. The composition is informal and asymmetrical, with vignettes of Dutch life scattered across the page. Look closely, and you can see that a great deal of care has gone into this ostensibly simple piece. Hoytema’s virtuosity is evident in his control of line, and in the delicate washes of watercolor that bring the scene to life. This work speaks to the way that graphic design, even something as ephemeral as a wedding announcement, can be a vehicle for artistic expression. Hoytema’s integration of text and image elevates this work beyond a simple announcement. It is a testament to the everyday creativity that surrounds us, if we only take the time to notice.