Decoratief ontwerp 1874 - 1945

Editor: So, here we have Carel Adolph Lion Cachet’s ‘Decoratief ontwerp,’ dating sometime between 1874 and 1945, held here at the Rijksmuseum. It’s a linocut, a type of graphic art. The image has this sort of ancient, almost heraldic quality, doesn't it? I'm drawn to the contrast between the dark lines and the more fluid, organic shapes within. What jumps out at you when you look at this? Curator: Well, what immediately strikes me is how it serves as a memory palace of sorts, linking familiar forms with a distinctive symbolic language. Notice how the repeated motifs—the flowing lines against those architectural blocks—almost mimic organic growth within structured spaces. Where might you imagine such a pattern being used? Editor: Perhaps as a textile design, or even a stained-glass window motif? There's a suggestion of verticality that feels quite grand. Curator: Precisely. The symbolism here blends the earthly with aspirations for something higher. Think about how architectural details often convey power or spiritual connections, or how a vine, even in ornament, implies both abundance and reach. Does it feel, perhaps, like the artist is inviting us to decode the emotional layers through visual cues that resonate across different periods? Editor: I see what you mean! The longer I look, the more I think about how patterns can communicate entire belief systems, almost subliminally. Like these repeating shapes… I guess, without even realizing, I feel a connection to traditions and cultural stories woven into what I’m seeing. Curator: Indeed! Each element here echoes, becoming not just decorative but communicative. What was initially just a design now becomes a conversation across time. Editor: That's a completely different way to approach art that I had not thought of. Curator: Symbolism opens many doors, which is why studying it has always helped me appreciate how human stories and patterns intersect in unexpected ways.