Kangoeroes 1873 - 1917

Theo van Hoytema made this watercolor painting of kangaroos on paper sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. The translucent quality of watercolor allows for soft gradations of tone, and the artist clearly relished the effects he could achieve. Notice how the varying dilutions of pigment create depth and shadow. These kangaroos almost seem to materialize on the page. The artist had a background in lithography. Though he had intended to produce wallpaper, he later became a celebrated artist of nature scenes. The choice of watercolor on paper speaks to a tradition of naturalistic illustration, and to the artist's clear interest in representing the kangaroos with scientific precision. But there's also an element of playfulness here. Van Hoytema clearly enjoyed the fluidity and spontaneity of the medium. The fact that this is a study, rather than a finished work, gives us insight into his process. It highlights the relationship between observation, material exploration, and artistic expression, all working together.