Kalenderblad voor november 1913 met drie op het water slapende eenden 1912

This is Theo van Hoytema's calendar page for November 1913, now at the Rijksmuseum, depicting ducks in lithograph. Note the three sleeping ducks floating on the water’s surface. These aren't merely fowl but symbols of serenity and introspection, especially poignant as winter nears. Across cultures and times, the image of waterfowl has resonated deeply. Think of ancient Egyptian art, where birds symbolized the soul's journey. Or consider the migratory patterns of birds, often seen as metaphors for the human condition, of wandering and seeking. Here, Hoytema's ducks are at rest, perhaps evoking the inner stillness one seeks in the darker months. It's an image of profound psychological weight, calling to mind the cyclical nature of life and the introspective turn that comes with the changing seasons. Just as the soul seeks refuge, so do these ducks find solace on the water, prompting us to consider our own search for inner peace.