Kalenderblad september met twee staande eenden - Theo van Hoytema

A 1902 lithographic calendar page by Theo van Hoytema, featuring two ducks framed by decorative floral motifs in a muted, naturalistic style.

This lithograph by Theo van Hoytema represents a single page from his 1902 calendar series. Van Hoytema, a Dutch artist known for his focus on animal subjects, produced several calendars that combined his interest in natural history with the decorative principles of the Art Nouveau movement. The composition features two ducks, one light and one dark, positioned within a textured, naturalistic setting. The birds are rendered with careful attention to their plumage and posture, reflecting the artist's background in biological illustration.

The central image is framed by a decorative border of stylised floral motifs, which are repeated in the calendar grid below. The typography and the layout of the dates are integrated into the overall design, balancing the organic forms of the ducks with the geometric structure of the calendar. The colour palette is restrained, relying on muted earth tones and soft ochre to maintain a cohesive aesthetic. This approach was typical of Van Hoytema's work, where he sought to bring the natural world into the domestic sphere through functional objects like calendars and posters.

Van Hoytema's technique as a lithographer allowed him to achieve subtle gradations of tone, particularly in the feathers of the ducks and the background foliage. The work demonstrates his ability to synthesise observation with graphic design. By placing the ducks in a quiet, contained space, he creates a sense of stillness. The inclusion of the calendar grid does not detract from the artistic quality of the print, but rather demonstrates how commercial art of the period sought to elevate everyday items through thoughtful composition and technical skill. This print remains a representative example of Dutch graphic design from the early twentieth century, showing the influence of both Japanese woodblock prints and the European Art Nouveau style.