Studies van fietsers en wandelaars 1874 - 1945

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made these studies of cyclists and pedestrians with pen and ink on paper. You can see the process so clearly here. The pen is allowed to dance and repeat, and even make mistakes, but somehow the rhythm remains clear. The materiality of ink on paper is so direct; there’s no way to hide. I love the way the lines define the figures, they’re like these fluid cages capturing little snippets of life. Look at the small loops and scribbles that suggest movement, especially in the wheels of the bicycles. It's almost like you can hear the whirring of spokes and the soft rustle of clothing as people stroll by. This reminds me of drawings by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, where you see the same interest in capturing fleeting moments and everyday life with such immediate, informal marks. Art isn’t about perfection, is it? It’s about the ongoing conversation between the artist, the materials, and the world around them.