Ontwerp voor een ex libris van Johannes Henoch Neethling 1874 - 1945

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet created this design for a bookplate, or "ex libris," for Johannes Henoch Neethling. Cachet was a Dutch artist known for his decorative designs, often incorporating motifs from nature. Here, the stylized floral design and the typography reflect the Art Nouveau movement, popular at the turn of the 20th century, but also the influence of the Dutch colony in South Africa where Cachet spent much of his life. Neethling was an Afrikaner theologian associated with the Victoria College in Stellenbosch. The inscription "Uit de Boekerij" translates to "From the Library" in Dutch. Consider this image as more than just a bookplate design; it reflects the complex interplay of cultural identity, colonial history, and personal expression. The design acknowledges Neethling's cultural and professional identity while hinting at the broader narrative of Dutch colonialism and its impact on South African society.