Ontwerpen voor een stoel 1896

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this design for a chair with graphite. Cachet was a Dutch artist at the turn of the 20th century who worked during a time of social change and artistic experimentation. We see this interest in design and the decorative arts, an arena that became increasingly democratized. Cachet's design reflects a blend of traditional and modern influences. The chair's ornate details such as the decorations on the back of the chair, show that the cultural references include historical styles, while the clean lines suggest a move towards functionalism. The Arts and Crafts movement was very influential at this time. As art historians, we look at how the image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. We consider the social and political context in which the work was made, using primary sources such as letters, diaries, and other historical documents to shed light on the artist's intentions and the reception of their work.