Azaleabloem c. 1915

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made "Azaleabloem" with brush and chalk, on paper. I can imagine him absorbed in the process, shifting between the observation of real life and intuitive mark making. The Azalea almost emerges from the gray background like a dream or memory. The paint is applied in thin layers, creating delicate textures that define the petals. You can almost feel the softness of the flower. It reminds me of the way Georgia O’Keeffe zoomed in on flowers. But here, Cachet’s work feels more like a study, an intimate moment of observation. See how each stroke of chalk isn't just descriptive. It’s expressive! Painters are in constant dialogue, echoing and answering each other across time. Each mark on the page embodies a thought, a feeling, a question. The gesture becomes a form of embodied expression, embracing ambiguity and inviting multiple interpretations.