Ontwerpen voor lampen c. 1903 - 1904

Editor: This is "Ontwerpen voor lampen," or Designs for Lamps, a drawing in pencil and ink by Carel Adolph Lion Cachet, dating from around 1903-1904. It’s currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It strikes me as very process-oriented, almost like peeking into the artist's mind as he works through different ideas. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Absolutely. This isn’t a finished product, but a glimpse into the labour of design itself. Note the Arts and Crafts influence; we see an emphasis on handcrafting, a reaction against industrial production methods, where design and construction are closely interlinked. What do you think the material realities are influencing the designs of the lamps? Editor: Well, looking at the shapes and ornamentation, I'd guess that metalworking, perhaps brass or wrought iron, might be a key consideration. It’s not about sleek, mass-produced forms. It's also apparent how he wants light to interact with them. Curator: Precisely. Consider too, the social context: who would have commissioned and used these lamps? What would the lamps have been made of? These objects would have signaled a certain status and aesthetic preference. Editor: That's interesting, I hadn't thought about it like that, viewing the sketches as clues to social standing. It really changes my understanding of what a "simple" sketch can convey! Curator: Right, and by examining these designs, we can begin to understand the specific values attached to craft and materiality during this period. It goes beyond just function. Editor: So it’s about looking beyond the surface appearance and focusing on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind the creation. Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. Curator: My pleasure. Remembering the social and material lives of objects helps ground the whole story of art.