Kalenderblad december met roodborstje 1909

Theo van Hoytema made this calendar page for December with a robin, probably as a lithograph. There's something so touching about how the robin is rendered, it’s a process of tenderness. I love the way the cool blues and grays of winter are softened by the warm yellow and orange of the robin's breast. If you look closely you can see the lines are soft and blurred, especially in the robin's feathers. It’s like the artist is trying to capture not just the bird, but the feeling of a cold winter day and the spark of life that this little bird represents. It reminds me of Morandi with his bottles, the subject is just a vehicle to explore feeling. This piece feels so different from the slick, mass-produced imagery we see all the time now. It invites you to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the natural world. It's like van Hoytema is saying, "Hey, take a break from all the hustle and bustle, and just look at this bird."