Kalenderblad januari met staande eend - Theo van Hoytema

A 1909 calendar page featuring a detailed lithograph of a standing duck by Dutch artist Theo van Hoytema, executed in an Art Nouveau style.

This lithograph by Theo van Hoytema forms part of a calendar series produced for the year 1909. Van Hoytema, a Dutch artist known for his focus on natural history and animal subjects, brings a distinct graphic sensibility to this work. The composition centres on a standing duck, rendered with careful attention to the texture of its plumage and the posture of the bird. The background remains minimal, allowing the form of the duck to occupy the visual space without distraction.

The surrounding frame and the calendar grid below demonstrate the influence of Art Nouveau design. The typography and the decorative borders reflect the period interest in integrating functional elements with aesthetic ornamentation. The colour palette is restrained, relying on shades of ochre, cream, and charcoal to create a cohesive visual effect. Van Hoytema often utilised lithography to achieve these subtle tonal variations, which contrast with the bold, structured lines of the calendar dates.

As a piece of graphic design, this work illustrates the intersection of commercial printing and fine art at the beginning of the twentieth century. The artist's ability to capture the character of the duck while maintaining the structural requirements of a calendar page is typical of his output. His work frequently appeared in such formats, making his observations of nature accessible to a wider audience. The print remains a clear example of the Dutch decorative arts tradition, where the study of flora and fauna was frequently adapted for print media and book illustration. The balance between the naturalistic depiction of the bird and the geometric arrangement of the calendar grid provides a clear view into the design principles of the era.