Konijn 1896

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this pencil drawing, titled 'Konijn', meaning 'Rabbit' in Dutch, without a specified date. Cachet was a Dutch artist born in the late 19th century. During this time, the Netherlands saw the rise of various art movements, often responding to social and political changes. Although this sketch is simple, the artist's interest in capturing the essence of an animal form is evident. The sketch can be seen in the context of the changing role of animals in society. Rapid urbanization and industrialization in the Netherlands led to a renewed interest in rural life. Artists started depicting animals not just as symbols, but as living beings. This interest ties into broader cultural anxieties and nostalgia for a simpler past. To understand this work better, one could explore the sketchbooks of the artist to find the preparatory drawings, as well as look at the contemporary social and political contexts of the Netherlands. The meaning of this drawing is contingent on these contexts.