Kalenderblad februari met spreeuw 1901

Theo van Hoytema made this calendar page for February with lithography. It’s such a practical object, but it’s also so beautiful. Look at how Hoytema renders the feathers of the starling. They’re almost architectural, like tiny shingles, but they also convey a sense of softness and movement. And the bird itself is singing. I love the way the muted colors – the grays, browns, and creams – create a sense of quiet stillness, even though the bird is in full song. The surface is smooth, and you can see the subtle variations in tone that come from the lithographic process. It reminds me of some of the Japanese prints I’ve seen, where the emphasis is on line and form rather than heavy color. Vuillard might be a reference here. He was a master of creating intimate, domestic scenes with a similar palette and attention to detail. It’s like art is one big, ongoing conversation. It’s cool, right?