Vrouw die haar rechterhand voor haar mond houdt c. 1935 - 1940

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this sketch of a woman holding her hand to her mouth in the early 20th century. At this time, the Netherlands was undergoing significant social and political changes, with growing calls for greater democracy and social reform. Cachet was particularly interested in the aesthetics and ethos of labor. This image may reflect a broader cultural preoccupation with female identity and representation within the social changes of the time, it also highlights the societal norms and expectations placed upon women. Perhaps the woman's gesture is suggestive of silence or suppression. Understanding this work requires us to consider the historical context in which it was created, using archival materials, and studies of contemporaneous cultural attitudes, to better appreciate its meaning and significance.