Ontwerp voor de penning voor de Algemeene Vereeniging voor de Bloembollencultuur, 1910 1874 - 1945

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet created this design for a medal in 1910 using graphite and possibly charcoal on paper. The choice of these materials is interesting because they are not precious in themselves; they’re about speed and utility. The design shows the intricate details of the medal's inscription and floral arrangement. This was made in anticipation of its manufacture in metal, probably through a casting process. Think of the labor involved in the whole sequence: the artist’s design, the die-making, the striking of the medal, and the distribution. These medals were not unique works of art. They were part of the infrastructure of the Algemeene Vereeniging voor de Bloembollencultuur, or General Association for Flower Bulb Culture, intended to boost morale in the flower-growing trade. Cachet’s design beautifully illustrates how art and craft intertwine with commerce, subtly reflecting the social and economic context of the time.