Ornamenten met bloemen c. 1897 - 1898

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet created this sketch of floral ornaments with graphite on paper. Note the stylized blossoms, particularly the seed pods. They carry echoes of the ancient lotus, a symbol of creation, rebirth, and purity. The lotus is a prominent motif throughout history, from ancient Egyptian art where it was associated with the sun god Ra, to Buddhist art, where it symbolizes spiritual awakening. Looking at these simplified lotus shapes, one might recall similar designs in decorative arts across cultures. The visual language of flowers transcends time and place. The recurrence of such natural forms taps into what we might call a collective memory, where symbols resonate with unconscious associations. The seed pod, bursting with life, speaks to the cyclical nature of existence itself. And so, this seemingly simple sketch reminds us that our artistic expressions echo through time, bearing the weight of cultural memory.