Ontwerp voor een wandbetimmering c. 1906

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this sketch for a wall panel design with pencil on paper. The design is a fascinating insight into the Dutch decorative arts at the turn of the 20th century. Cachet was known for his work in the "Nieuwe Kunst" movement, the Dutch version of Art Nouveau. This movement sought to integrate art into everyday life, emphasizing craftsmanship and natural forms in reaction to industrialization. In the Netherlands, a country with a strong tradition of craftsmanship due to its guild history, this took on specific meaning. Cachet’s design reflects this ethos. Note the emphasis on clean lines, geometric forms, and the integration of the panel with the wall. The design also speaks to the growing Dutch middle class that demanded well-made objects with aesthetic value. To understand this sketch better, we need to research the interiors of Dutch homes and the publications and exhibition spaces that defined the tastes of the era.