Kalenderblad voor juni 1899 1898

Theo Nieuwenhuis created this calendar page for June 1899, using printmaking techniques in colour. The pale blues and greens provide a cool backdrop, allowing the graphic elements to emerge with crisp clarity. The strong Art Nouveau framework of stylized magnolia blossoms and foliage structures the page, merging organic forms with the rigid grid of the calendar itself. Look how the buds and blooms are distributed across the top and sides, as if nature is encroaching upon the man-made construct of time. The lettering and numbers are carefully integrated, enhancing the calendar’s aesthetic appeal. This piece uses semiotic signs: The lunar phases next to the weekdays subtly intertwine daily life with larger cosmic cycles. The overall design reflects a period where art sought to elevate everyday objects, challenging traditional hierarchies between fine and decorative arts. It invites us to reconsider how we perceive time and the natural world.