Kalenderblad december met twee slapende eenden - Theo van Hoytema

A 1914 lithograph by Theo van Hoytema featuring two sleeping ducks, designed as a calendar page for December with decorative seasonal borders.

This lithograph by Theo van Hoytema, titled Kalenderblad december met twee slapende eenden, represents the artist's mastery of animal studies and graphic design. Produced in 1914, the work functions as a calendar page for the month of December. The upper portion features a detailed depiction of two ducks resting in a huddled position. Van Hoytema employs a sensitive approach to the texture of the birds' plumage, using varied line weights to suggest the softness of their feathers against a textured background. The composition is contained within a decorative border that incorporates stylised pine or fir motifs, reinforcing the seasonal theme of the winter month.

The lower section of the print presents the calendar grid for December, with the days of the week abbreviated in Dutch. The typography is clean and legible, balancing the organic forms of the ducks above with the structured geometry of the grid. The colour palette is restrained, relying on warm ochre and gold tones against a neutral background, which provides a sense of seasonal warmth. Van Hoytema was well known for his lithographic work, particularly his depictions of birds, which he observed with scientific precision while maintaining a decorative sensibility characteristic of the Art Nouveau period. His ability to integrate natural subjects into functional design objects is evident here, as the ducks appear to be settling in for the winter, mirroring the end of the calendar year. This piece reflects the artist's technical skill in stone lithography, a medium he utilised throughout his career to produce high-quality prints that were accessible to a wider audience. The work remains a fine example of early twentieth-century Dutch graphic arts, demonstrating a synthesis of observation and stylisation.