Decoratief ontwerp 1874 - 1945

Editor: This is "Decoratief ontwerp", or Decorative Design, created sometime between 1874 and 1945 by Carel Adolph Lion Cachet. It's an ink drawing on paper. I find the stark contrast between light and dark pretty striking. It looks almost like an emblem. What do you make of it? Curator: Emblem is a lovely word for it! It feels…intentional, doesn’t it? Like a secret symbol whispering from the past. Look at the art nouveau flourishes, those flowing lines fighting to escape rigid geometry, and the toned paper, which makes the whole thing feel aged and precious. To me, it’s a longing for organic beauty, trapped in a world that’s increasingly obsessed with order. I feel like the artist may be challenging us – asking whether beauty can exist within strict boundaries. Does that resonate with you? Editor: Definitely. The symmetry feels so controlled, but the rounded edges soften it somehow. Were these sorts of designs typically used for anything specific, or was it more of an artistic exploration? Curator: That's a wonderful question! Cachet was well-known for his decorative work and bookbindings, so the likelihood is that it could be related to such designs, but, really, these artists blurred the line. Is this a drawing, a design or is it poetry on paper? The ambiguity is what makes it exciting. Ultimately, art nouveau, like poetry, sought to elevate everyday life. What do you think it would feel like to run your hand over it, to trace its inked path? Editor: Intriguing... Now I am seeing a stained-glass window. Thanks, I'm beginning to see those "whispers." Curator: Art whispers if we listen closely, and sometimes, it shouts. I’m delighted to have taken this walk with you, to look with new eyes is a true joy!