Studie c. 1890

This is "Studie," a drawing by Carel Adolph Lion Cachet, housed at the Rijksmuseum. The artwork is a study in monochrome, composed with charcoal or a similar dark medium on a light surface. It is characterized by dynamic, sweeping lines and layered textures. The interplay between light and shadow creates a sense of depth and movement. The composition suggests a landscape, but it flirts with abstraction through the loose handling of the medium, where forms emerge from the gestural strokes rather than precise representation. This ambiguity invites us to engage with the drawing on a purely formal level, considering how the artist’s marks construct space and volume. In semiotic terms, the visual components act as signs, hinting at recognizable forms while resisting fixed meanings. The drawing’s power resides in its process-oriented approach. The materiality of the charcoal becomes a key element. The work challenges traditional notions of representation, leaning into the expressive potential of its medium.