Ducks 1873 - 1917

Theo van Hoytema created this watercolor artwork, simply titled "Ducks," with a light touch and subtle tones. The image of waterfowl has ancient roots, often linked to notions of purity and transformation across cultures. Look at these ducks. How do they strike you? Their presence might evoke a sense of tranquility. Yet, consider how the depiction of animals, especially birds, has been used in art and folklore to symbolize everything from the soul's journey to more earthly desires. In ancient Egypt, for instance, birds were frequently associated with deities and the afterlife, their images adorning tombs to guide and protect the deceased. Notice how, over time, the symbolic weight of such creatures shifts. In medieval bestiaries, ducks could represent vigilance or, conversely, foolishness. Here, van Hoytema presents us with a scene of simple beauty, but our subconscious might still stir with echoes of older, more mystical interpretations. It's this dance between the everyday and the eternal that gives art its enduring power.