Abklatsch van een krijttekening c. 1895 - 1900

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this chalk drawing at an unknown date. This drawing embodies the changing values of Cachet's time. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Netherlands was undergoing significant social and political change, including the rise of socialism and labor movements. It is perhaps no surprise that Cachet took a clear interest in ordinary people. By this point, art institutions like the Rijksmuseum were beginning to shift. No longer spaces just for the elite, a broader public could come and learn. While there's little indication that Cachet was deeply involved in politics, it is hard not to see a connection between this democratization of society and his art. As historians, we can look to archives and written records to understand the place of Cachet and the cultural shifts that shaped his work.