Kalenderblad oktober met bonte kraai 1909

Theo van Hoytema made this calendar page for October with a crow, in the late 19th or early 20th century. Hoytema was a Dutch artist deeply engaged with nature and the decorative arts, a context shaped by the Arts and Crafts movement's critique of industrialization. The print depicts a hooded crow perched amidst foliage, rendered in muted tones. What does it mean to mark time in the context of this crow? How does the work invite us to think about time in relation to nature? The calendar integrates nature and the cyclical rhythm of the seasons. Rather than a traditional rendering with geometric precision, Hoytema integrates the calendar with illustrative depictions of nature. This calendar is a statement about reconnecting with nature and the value of handcrafted design in a rapidly industrializing world, imbued with a longing for a world in harmony.