Twee ontwerpen voor panelen (?) ter gelegenheid van het zilveren jubileum van Koningin Wilhelmina, 6 september 1923 1874 - 1945

Editor: This drawing, titled "Twee ontwerpen voor panelen ter gelegenheid van het zilveren jubileum van Koningin Wilhelmina," was created around 1923 by Carel Adolph Lion Cachet. It's pencil and ink on paper, a preparatory sketch for what looks like commemorative posters. I find the hand-lettering particularly charming, though slightly difficult to read! What stands out to you? Curator: The lettering indeed invites us to decode it. Beyond its legibility, consider its form: it emulates the tradition of illuminated manuscripts, merging regal pronouncements with artisanal craftsmanship. Do you notice how the heraldic symbols, almost playfully rendered, flank the textual proclamations? They echo medieval tapestries where symbolism underpinned power. Editor: I see that now, especially the crowns and lions...the way they frame the text. Almost like they're guarding the message. Is that intentional, do you think? Curator: Precisely! The artist intentionally evokes a sense of historical continuity. The jubilee isn't just a celebration of 25 years, but a symbolic linking to a long lineage of Dutch royalty. Even the choice of a slightly aged paper colour contributes to this feeling. Editor: So, it's not just about Queen Wilhelmina; it's about the idea of the monarchy itself? Curator: Exactly. These visual symbols act as cultural anchors, connecting contemporary society to a perceived golden age of stability and strength. What does it make you think about current-day commemorative symbols? Editor: That's a clever observation! This piece makes me think about how tradition and modernity are often intertwined to create powerful messages, yesterday and today. Thank you for clarifying that. Curator: And it encourages us to ask what aspects of tradition and history the artist chose to highlight, and perhaps, those they chose to omit. Fascinating how a drawing about a Queen’s jubilee leads to a deeper inquiry into a nation’s identity.