Ornamentaal ontwerp met leeuwen 1874 - 1945

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this ornamental design with lions, at an unknown date, using pen and grey ink, over a graphite under drawing, on paper. It’s fascinating how the lions' faces seem to emerge from the floral ornamentation like characters in a dream, or like faces in the clouds. See how their intense stares lock you in, while the muted grayscale palette gives the work a timeless, almost ghostly quality. Look at the grid, you can see how the artist methodically built up the design, one square at a time, from simple geometric forms into a complex pattern. The slight imperfections in the symmetry, though, add a quirky, human touch, emphasizing that art-making is a process rooted in labor. It reminds me of Gustav Klimt and his ornamental style and use of gold leaf to create mesmerizing patterns. Artmaking is really a continuous conversation across time.