Kerkramen c. 1905 - 1906

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet created this drawing of church windows in the Netherlands, though the exact date is unknown. Cachet made a name for himself as a designer, crafting everything from furniture to stamps. But here we see his attention turned to the architectural details of religious spaces. The sketch shows a series of window designs, with a focus on their arched forms and decorative ironwork. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, church architecture in the Netherlands was often a site of cultural and political negotiation. Different Protestant denominations, as well as the Catholic Church, sought to express their identities through distinctive building styles. Cachet's designs, with their blend of traditional and modern elements, likely reflect these competing influences. Art historians can use drawings like this, along with church records and architectural plans, to understand the changing role of religious institutions in Dutch society. This simple sketch offers a window into a complex world of faith, politics, and artistic expression.