Kalenderblad februari met eenden 1902

Theo van Hoytema made this calendar page for February with ducks, but when? Well, we don’t know, so the process itself becomes the focus here. Just look at the way he’s used a limited palette, almost monochromatic, to create depth and texture. The surface is smooth, so I think this is a print, maybe lithography or etching? See the way the ducks are rendered, with fine lines and subtle shading? This isn't about capturing an exact likeness; it's about evoking the feeling of a cold February day by the water, the ducks huddled together for warmth. I like the way the bodies of the ducks are so solid compared to the reeds and vegetation that frames the image, it gives the piece a pleasing balance. Van Hoytema reminds me of other artists who merge nature and design, like Walter Crane. They invite us to see the world as both functional and beautiful, where art is part of everyday life, not separate from it. What month will you look at next?