Studie c. 1897 - 1898

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this study with graphite, and it is now held at the Rijksmuseum. Born in the Netherlands but spending a formative part of his childhood in the Dutch East Indies, Cachet carried the legacy of colonialism with him throughout his life. His artistic choices, like his preference for certain stylistic elements and subject matter, may have been influenced by his cultural background. How might this identity shape his perspective, and how is it manifested in his art? As we look at this study, we might consider the historical context of Dutch colonialism and its impact on both the colonizers and the colonized. Perhaps Cachet is seeking to explore new forms of representation and expression. What stories are being told or left untold? This study invites us to reflect on the complexities of identity, history, and representation.