Twee slapende eenden 1878 - 1909

This print of two sleeping ducks was made by Theo van Hoytema. The subdued palette, dominated by shades of grey and brown, evokes a sense of stillness and quietude. The composition is structured by the curves of the ducks’ bodies, creating a dense, almost abstract arrangement. Hoytema’s rendering of texture is particularly striking. Notice the subtle variations in the birds’ plumage, achieved through delicate lines and shading. These details invite closer inspection and engage with the viewer’s sense of touch. The print may be interpreted through the lens of semiotics, where the ducks function as signs embodying tranquility. The composition destabilizes traditional notions of representation, inviting the viewer to contemplate the symbolic potential of everyday objects and challenging fixed meanings. The work prompts us to reconsider our relationship with nature and the ways in which we assign meaning to the world around us.