August Calendar Page with Three Swimming Ducks - Theo van Hoytema

A 1902 lithograph by Theo van Hoytema featuring three ducks on water, designed as a decorative calendar page for the month of August.

This lithograph by Theo van Hoytema, titled August Calendar Page with Three Swimming Ducks, originates from his 1902 calendar series. Van Hoytema was a Dutch artist known for his precise observation of birds and animals. His work often reflects the stylistic tendencies of the Art Nouveau movement, particularly in the use of decorative borders and organic, flowing lines.

The composition is divided into two distinct sections. The upper portion features a naturalistic depiction of three ducks upon the water, rendered with careful attention to the texture of their feathers and the ripples on the surface. The lower portion contains the calendar grid for the month of August, integrated into a structured, ornamental frame. The muted colour palette, dominated by soft greens and earthy tones, aligns with the aesthetic preferences of the period.

Van Hoytema was a master of the lithographic process. He often produced his own stones, which allowed him to maintain control over the final printed output. This specific print demonstrates his ability to combine functional design with artistic expression. The decorative border, featuring stylised plant forms, frames the central image and the calendar grid, creating a cohesive visual unit. The work is characteristic of the Dutch decorative arts at the turn of the twentieth century, where artists sought to bring beauty into everyday objects through high-quality graphic design and printmaking techniques.