Twee eenden 1878 - 1907

Theo van Hoytema made this colour lithograph, 'Two Ducks', in the Netherlands. Van Hoytema, like many artists of the late 19th century, was interested in Japonisme, the influence of Japanese art and design on Western art. In this period, the institutions of art and design were becoming more closely linked as part of a broader movement to bring art into everyday life. Here, we see his deep interest in graphic design, informed by naturalism. The black duck stands, alert and vocal; below, the white duck rests serenely, reflected in the water. This study of contrasting textures and patterns demonstrates an interest in nature, but also the aesthetic possibilities of printmaking itself. To learn more about Dutch printmaking, one could examine the archives of the various art schools and workshops which fostered its development during this period. By studying Van Hoytema’s sources, we can more fully appreciate the ways in which artists like him made use of both new reproductive technologies and existing cultural traditions.