Decoratief ontwerp 1874 - 1945

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this design for decoration on paper. The linear forms and swirling vegetal motifs give the impression of a repeating pattern. Cachet’s technique, working on paper with graphite, lends itself to easy reproduction, a key consideration for a design destined to be applied across a surface, maybe a textile. The grid marks reveal the mathematical underpinnings, and the gridded repetition gives a glimpse into the world of industrial production. The amount of handwork involved in the execution of this artwork is significant, even if its ultimate destiny was reproduction. The designer’s hand mediates between the mechanical production of a pattern, and the unique aesthetic sensibilities required for a successful decorative outcome. Paying attention to the materials, the making process, and the cultural context reveals the complex connections between design, craft, and industry, prompting us to reconsider the boundaries between them.