Kroonluchter c. 1895

This graphite sketch, "Kroonluchter", was created by Carel Adolph Lion Cachet. The artist chose to use a readily available material; graphite on paper, to explore the concept for an elaborate chandelier. The choice of graphite as a medium influences the appearance, giving it a tentative, exploratory feel. The artist captured the essence of each potential chandelier with loose lines. You can see how the qualities of graphite allow for quick, erasable marks, which facilitated the rapid iteration of ideas. Although seemingly simple, sketches such as this one embody a tradition of craft and design, where ideas are first visualized and refined before committing to more permanent materials. The presence of the lion indicates that the design may have been intended to be symbolic, and tied to the heraldic traditions of the Netherlands. In this way, "Kroonluchter" reminds us that even preliminary sketches can offer insight into an artist’s process, and the cultural significance embedded within design.