Ontwerpen voor elektrische lampen c. 1905

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made these designs for electric lamps, and it’s all about the pure, unadulterated process of sketching. The pencil lines, quick and exploratory, show the evolution of the idea right before our eyes. It’s like watching the artist think. The texture of the paper itself becomes part of the story, doesn't it? The colour of the paper is a warm off-white that softens the starkness of the graphite lines. Notice the delicate filigree of lines to the left; they contrast with the strong geometric shapes of the lamp fixtures. It's this interplay between the organic and the structured that is the key to this work. It reminds me a little of Hilma af Klint’s more diagrammatic works, these designs share that combination of functionality with mystical expression. What do you think? The beauty of art is there is always space for multiple ideas!