Ornamentontwerpen c. 1897 - 1898

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this sketch of ornament designs sometime in his lifetime, with pencil on paper, it now resides in the Rijksmuseum. Cachet was a Dutch artist with a broad practice ranging from painting to furniture design. Although this piece is undated, we can place Cachet’s practice within a key moment for the history of design. In the late 19th century, designers increasingly blurred the boundaries between fine art and craft production, fueled by the English Arts and Crafts movement. These architectural designs are simple and perhaps preliminary, but they indicate that the designer thought ornament an important part of interior space. It’s interesting to consider how the museum as an institution preserves and displays not only finished objects but also sketches and drafts like this one, which grants us a peek into the mind of the artist. Historians may consult design publications, period writings, and exhibition reviews to find out more about the history of design. By viewing art as a product of cultural conditions we gain greater insight into the meanings and significance of art.