Kalenderblad augustus 1899 1899

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet created this color lithograph calendar page for August 1899 in the Netherlands. Its stylized ornamentation in orange and purple places it firmly within the Art Nouveau movement. But more than just a decorative object, this calendar can tell us about the social values of the time. The Rijksmuseum's records might reveal who commissioned this calendar and for what purpose. Was it for a business, a household, or an institution? The clean lines and functional design also hint at the rise of industrialization and the growing importance of time management in modern life. The choice of imagery – are those stylized plants, animals, or abstract forms? – may also point to contemporary ideas about nature, progress, and national identity. By studying these details, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, commerce, and society in the late 19th century.