Background
His father was Secretary-General of the Department of Finance.
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Theo Van Hoytema
Edit Profileartist designer illustrator lithographer painter
Education
He attended the Stedelijk Gymnasium Leiden and, together with two of his older brothers, passed an exam that enabled them to find work at a financial firm.
Career
He was the youngest of eight children. Theo, however, was not satisfied with office life and decided to become an artist. He began by taking drawing classes at the Royal Academy of Artist
While there, he drew and painted the stuffed animals at the Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie in Leiden.
From 1889 to 1890, he became interested in lithography. That same year, he took up temporary residence in a garden house at Binckhorst Castle.
The marriage was, however, short-lived and childless, ending in divorce in 1902. That same year, he produced an illustrated edition of The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen, followed by several more bird-themed picture books
He continued to move, restlessly, first to Voorburg then, in 1897, to Hilversum.
Foreign a time, he stayed with family members in London. His health became fragile and he was hospitalized for much of 1904 and 1905. He also spent a short time at a psychiatric sanatorium.
When released, he went to live with a sister in The Hague and remained there, under her care, for the rest of his life.
Despite his illness, it was during this period that he created the calendars that made him famous. His designs also formed the basis for pottery and furniture.
A street was named after him in 1923, and a monument was placed there in 2009.
Membership
In 1892, he became a member of the Haagsche Kunstkring and joined Arti et Amicitiae in 1893.
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Born
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Died
August 28, 1917 (aged 53) -
Nationality
Netherlands