Kalenderblad januari met staande eend 1908

This is Theo van Hoytema’s calendar page for January 1909, made most likely with lithographic crayon and ink. It depicts a rather solemn-looking duck, gazing intently. I imagine Hoytema hunched over a lithographic stone, working the image in reverse, building up the textures and tones with layers of crayon. You know, it’s easy to forget how physical painting can be, and in lithography, even more so, really wrestling with the stone to coax out the image. I’m drawn to the duck’s feathers, each one rendered with such care and precision. There's a lovely contrast between the dark, almost somber tones of the duck and the pale golden frame surrounding it. Hoytema was clearly inspired by the natural world, and this calendar page is a testament to his dedication and keen eye. He’s part of a long line of artists who found endless inspiration in the world around them. It’s a conversation across time, you know, artists speaking to one another through their work.