Proefblad voor briefkaarten met vogels 1878 - 1914

Theo van Hoytema made this proof sheet for postcards with birds in the Netherlands, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Hoytema was deeply involved in the Art Nouveau movement, using its flowing, organic lines and decorative motifs. This print reflects a growing interest in nature, as well as a turn toward more handcrafted and artisanal production methods. But it's important to remember that the Arts and Crafts movement, of which Art Nouveau was an important part, wasn't just about aesthetics. It represented a reaction against industrialization and mass production. Artists like Hoytema were concerned with preserving traditional skills and creating objects that were both beautiful and useful. The images of birds, especially when displayed in sets, invoke Dutch trade with other countries. By studying exhibition catalogs, letters, and other documents, we can understand how artists like Hoytema engaged with the social and political issues of their time. Art, after all, is never made in a vacuum.