Papegaai 1896

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet sketched this Papegaai, or Parrot, using graphite. The parrot, an exotic bird, has long been a symbol of wealth and luxury. Here, notice how Cachet captures its likeness, and a second, more distilled sketch above, focusing on the parrot’s unique features. It calls to mind the ancient Roman fascination with exotic animals as signs of imperial power and access to far-flung corners of the world. We see parrots gracing mosaics and frescoes, tokens of prestige. Yet, the parrot is also tied to mimicry, mindlessly repeating phrases it hears. From medieval bestiaries to contemporary cartoons, this duality—beauty and empty repetition—persists. Consider the psychological implications: the parrot’s allure lies not only in its vibrant plumage but in our human desire to mirror and master language. Cachet’s Papegaai reminds us that symbols evolve, carrying layers of meaning across time, reflecting our ever-changing relationship with the natural world and our own human nature.