Kinderen in klederdracht 1874 - 1945

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this sketch of children in traditional clothing, probably in the early 20th century. It looks like it was made directly from life, with quick, loose lines that capture the essence of the scene. It feels like a fleeting moment, a snapshot of everyday life. The drawing has a casual, almost nonchalant quality. Cachet isn't trying to impress us with technical skill, but rather invites us to witness his own process of seeing and recording. The lines are tentative, searching, as if the artist is feeling his way through the subject. I'm drawn to the way the shading is created with very simple hatch marks, it makes the drawing feel very immediate and present. You can see the ghost of lines where the artist has redrawn or corrected his initial marks. This adds a layer of depth and complexity to the image, reminding us that art is not about perfection, but about exploration and discovery. It makes me think of other sketchers and diarists like Paula Modersohn-Becker who were also interested in recording the everyday.