Ontwerpen voor een logo voor Uitgeversmaatschappij De Hooge Brug c. 1925

Editor: This is "Ontwerpen voor een logo voor Uitgeversmaatschappij De Hooge Brug," a drawing made around 1925 by Carel Adolph Lion Cachet, held at the Rijksmuseum. It appears to be design sketches for a logo, typography samples, and some calculations, all in pencil. The aged paper gives it a feeling of discovering an old secret. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: This piece provides a glimpse into the commercial art world of the early 20th century, when graphic design was increasingly vital to publishing and branding. Cachet, deeply rooted in the Art Nouveau style, likely saw this commission as a means to inject artistry into everyday life. Look at the lettering – notice how the artist attempts to stylize them with Art Nouveau influence, despite them being just sketches? The sketches appear quite practical; were the artist involved with other more public-facing artwork? Editor: That’s fascinating! I hadn't considered the social impact of design in that period. What’s your take on his use of hand lettering, particularly the various calculations scribbled on the paper? Does that say anything about the cultural position of art/design during that era? Curator: Precisely! The visible calculations highlight a fascinating intersection of art and commerce. Graphic design was evolving from a craft to a profession, where artistic sensibilities had to align with marketing demands. This is pre-digital of course, when typography involved a painstaking effort to produce and arrange letters. It raises a question, though. Given that it is a preparatory work, is it right that the design is showcased within a museum? Editor: I guess by placing this in a museum context, we’re emphasizing the artistic process rather than simply the final product. I never thought I would find the meeting of marketing demands and Art Nouveau so fascinating! Curator: It is, in a sense, a material testament to the industrial revolution. By displaying sketches we bring into light the thought processes of artists that were crucial for setting in motion the shift of gears. Editor: Definitely changes my view on graphic design! It's more connected to the bigger picture than I realized.