Kalenders voor januari, mei en juli 1904 1904

Theo van Hoytema made these calendars for January, May, and July of 1904 in some kind of printmaking medium, and I am immediately drawn to how he uses a restrained palette to evoke a feeling of quiet contemplation. The textures and tones create depth, even in the most delicate of marks. It’s like he’s whispering secrets about the seasons, or maybe about time itself. If you look at the calendar for July, you can see how the details of the foliage, the way it frames a distant horizon, it’s all so carefully rendered. You can almost feel the summer breeze rustling through the leaves. Van Hoytema’s work reminds me a little of that dreamy, symbolist vibe you see in the paintings of someone like Odilon Redon. Both artists were interested in exploring the inner landscapes of the imagination. Ultimately art’s about this ongoing conversation across time. It's not about fixed meanings, but possibilities.