Studie c. 1890

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this study with a graphite pencil on paper. The Dutch artist produced this work, which is now in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, during a time of great social and artistic change. As we consider the cultural context, it is important to remember that the Netherlands, like much of Europe at this time, was grappling with questions of national identity. Artists were increasingly interested in depicting the lives of ordinary people and in exploring the social and political issues of the day. Cachet, who also worked as a designer and printmaker, seems to have been deeply engaged with these questions, and this study offers a glimpse into his artistic process. The institutional history of the Rijksmuseum, as a national museum, also informs our understanding of the work and the criteria by which it was included. To fully understand the social and institutional context of this work, scholars might consult historical archives, museum records, and the artist's personal papers. This helps us to better understand the social forces that shaped its creation.