Kalenderblad juni met akeleien en vlinders 1902

This calendar for June, featuring columbines and butterflies, was made by Theo van Hoytema. It’s all very linear, even a bit graphic, with a limited palette that feels earthy. The butterflies that frame the image give it a sense of delicate symmetry, yet each one is rendered just a little differently. Then you notice the way the flowers are painted, how the thin, spidery lines make them look like they’re dancing, or about to take flight. It’s so simple, almost childlike, but there’s a real sophistication in the way the artist uses line and color to create depth and movement. It reminds me a bit of Hilma af Klint, with its blend of natural forms and abstract symbols. But where Klint goes big and cosmic, Hoytema stays grounded, finding the magic in the everyday. Ultimately, it's a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places, even in a calendar.