Studie, mogelijk een architectuurdetail c. 1906

This is a page from a sketchbook by Carel Adolph Lion Cachet. While the exact date of its creation is unknown, we know Cachet lived from 1864 to 1945. Cachet was a Dutch artist deeply involved in the Dutch Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized the value of handmade goods, and a return to simpler, more authentic forms of art and design. This sketch, filled with handwritten notes and what appear to be architectural details, provides an intimate glimpse into Cachet’s creative process. The Dutch Arts and Crafts movement was, in part, a reaction to increasing industrialization, but also reflected a desire for national identity rooted in the past. As you look at this page, consider how Cachet and his peers were negotiating the tensions between tradition and modernity, seeking to create art that was both functional and beautiful, while also expressing a unique cultural identity. The personal and practical merge on this page, a testament to the emotional investment in craft.