Konijn en een kop van een konijn 1896

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this sketch of a rabbit and the head of a rabbit in graphite at an unknown date. Lion Cachet, who lived from 1864 to 1945, operated in a world undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization, changes that stirred debates about identity and the relationship between humanity and nature. Cachet's choice of subject matter is interesting when considered through this lens. Rabbits are often seen as symbols of innocence and vulnerability, yet here, the artist presents them in a way that feels both intimate and detached. The disembodied head draws attention to the rabbit as an object, a commodity, or a specimen. Cachet was deeply interested in nature and the Dutch landscape. "I seek to capture the essence of the animal," he once said, "to understand its place in the world." The sketch captures the fragility of life, the relationship between humans and animals, and perhaps, a commentary on how industrialization was impacting the natural world. It’s a quiet reflection on existence.