Tekstblad met onder andere pauw, uilen, reiger en roofvogel 1892

Theo van Hoytema created this "Text Sheet with Peacock, Owls, Heron and Bird of Prey" using graphite, pen and brush, and watercolor. The image shows us the graphic qualities of line and wash, and their capacity to evoke a whole world. Look closely, and you'll see the texture of the paper support, and the light touch of the artist’s hand. The work's material influences its appearance, considering its inherent qualities of substance, texture, weight, color and form. This reflects a skilled tradition of draftsmanship that dates back centuries, where printmaking was a means of circulating images to a wide audience. The question is raised, who should be king? A large or small creature? A beautiful or ugly one? One with short or long legs? These elements were intended to carry not just visual information, but also poetic and political weight. Paying attention to materials and processes reveals the intent behind the work, reminding us that there’s more to art than just what meets the eye.