Huldeblijk ter gelegenheid van het vijfentwintigjarig jubileum van de N.V. Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken 1916

This linocut by Carel Adolph Lion Cachet commemorates the twenty-fifth anniversary of Philips. You know, when I look at this work, I’m not sure if I’m seeing something old or something new, maybe even something futuristic! I love the way Cachet has carved away the linoleum block to create this intricate design. The bold lines remind me of architectural drawings, and there's a real sense of depth despite the flatness of the print. Imagine the artist carving each line, each curve, thinking about how the negative space would define the image. The muted palette adds to the overall effect, giving it a timeless quality. Cachet’s piece sits well within the wider exploration of the art deco movement, which celebrated industry and commerce through design. It’s like he’s saying, “Here’s to progress, here’s to the future,” all while nodding to the past. These artists are always in conversation with one another.