Vrouw, vermoedelijk Joanna Lion Cachet-Cordes c. 1935 - 1940

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this intriguing sketch, "Vrouw, vermoedelijk Joanna Lion Cachet-Cordes" with pen on paper. The composition presents a stark contrast between densely hatched areas and sparse lines, creating a captivating interplay of light and shadow. The lines are not merely descriptive; they evoke a sense of movement and volume that teeters between abstraction and representation. The lack of defined contours challenges our perception, inviting us to piece together the subject. Here, the structural framework of the drawing is laid bare. The artist exposes the essence of form through an economy of means. This approach resonates with structuralist theories, where underlying structures, rather than surface appearances, hold the key to understanding. The use of hatching and line work creates a visual language, a semiotic system that speaks to the nature of representation itself. Does this drawing destabilize our expectations of portraiture by focusing on the act of seeing rather than a faithful likeness? It encourages us to consider how meaning arises from the very process of mark-making.