Aankondiging voor kalender 1902 1878 - 1901

Here in the Rijksmuseum, we have Theo van Hoytema's 'Aankondiging voor kalender 1902,' a lithograph that presents us with a play of monochrome and form. The composition is divided into two distinct registers. Above, we see two mice face each other, mirrored, above bold sans-serif text; below, a frieze of mice is set against a stark black ground. The contrast in tone is striking. The upper register, with its light background, allows the detailed rendering of the mice to come forward, creating a sense of space and detail. The lower register then uses a dense, dark background which flattens the row of mice into an almost decorative band. This division creates a visual tension, disrupting traditional perspective and depth. Hoytema’s use of lithography here is not just a technical choice, but a conceptual one. The medium allows for a graphic starkness and clarity, pushing the boundaries of representation. It challenges our expectations of how we perceive depth, space, and meaning in image-making. Hoytema prompts us to reconsider the relationship between form, content, and perception.