Ontwerp met tekst in rand, voor een ex libris 1874 - 1945

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet designed this ex libris in 1942, featuring text that frames a central space. The lettering itself, stark and bold, speaks volumes, acting as both text and image. The words, arranged to surround a void, pull us into a contemplative space. Consider how written language has been used across cultures and eras. From ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs to medieval illuminated manuscripts, text has served not only to communicate but also to adorn and evoke. Here, the words "Want wijsheid is beter dan robijnen" – "For wisdom is better than rubies" – echoes similar sentiments found in biblical texts. It reminds us of the timeless human quest for meaning, the search for something more valuable than material wealth. This search, deeply embedded in our collective psyche, transcends time, resurfacing in various forms. What emotional and psychological weight does the artist place on the viewer, urging us to value knowledge above earthly treasures? Like a snake eating its tail, this design compels us to ponder the cyclical nature of wisdom, its perennial return.