Ornamenten 1874 - 1945

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this study of ornament using graphite on paper. A fairly conventional choice of material, yet this drawing asks us to consider the value we place on the creative labor behind design. The image presents a kind of skeletal structure, with curving leaf-like shapes enclosed in a geometric framework. It almost looks like a technical drawing, a template for the application of ornament. This makes you wonder, what kind of object was Lion Cachet designing here? Was it something mass produced, or an object for a wealthy client? Maybe he was interested in the challenge of combining hand-drawn design and industrial processes, or perhaps questioning the division between art and design. Whatever the answer, this study reminds us that the objects that surround us are the result of design decisions, and often the labor of skilled hands. Recognizing this can encourage us to be more thoughtful consumers, and more appreciative of the creativity embedded in everyday life.