Kalenderblad september met bloemen of fruit before 1904

Curator: This is "Kalenderblad september met bloemen of fruit," a September calendar page featuring flowers or fruit, by Anna Sipkema. We believe it was created before 1904 and is an example of art nouveau decorative art, likely a print or poster. Editor: Oh, I love it. It has a such gentle, quiet energy. I'm drawn to the muted palette. Green, yellows, with just a pop of violet in the flower centers. It reminds me of picking pears in my grandmother’s orchard, and she always had a calendar like this in her kitchen. Curator: The repetition of elements, the fruit and flowers intertwined with the calendar grid, exemplifies the art nouveau style. There is a distinct sensibility here, celebrating nature’s beauty and using it for functional purposes. We should also consider the role of women in decorative arts at this time, who often didn't get recognition as fine artists. Editor: Absolutely! It’s a perfect fusion of form and function, but what really strikes me is the rhythm. The way those looping vines echo the cycles of the month, framing the dates...It feels both structured and free. Like the slow, sweet ending of summer. Curator: I agree. This design isn't just decorative, it embodies a time when artists saw no hard separation between art and everyday life. Posters and prints like these helped bring beauty into the homes of average people. Editor: Which is powerful, you know? Democratizing beauty through design, especially when these designs were being created by women, speaks volumes. It’s whispering of rebellion against the patriarchal standards of fine art. It’s really making a space for creativity in the every day, literally mapping our weeks out in nature and whimsy! Curator: Indeed. Examining the context, Sipkema and her work offer insight into broader narratives of women's creative expression and agency during the turn of the century. This piece pushes us to reconsider our preconceptions about the value of 'decorative' art. Editor: You know, standing here with it, I feel invited to pause and really *see* the beauty in the mundane. It's more than just a calendar page; it's a gentle reminder to savor the small joys of each day. And honestly, I might just try my hand at some nature-inspired calligraphy now. It feels contagious!