Konijn 1896

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this pencil drawing of a rabbit. It is currently held in the Rijksmuseum. Cachet made his name as a decorative artist during the Dutch revival in the late 19th century. Many artists turned away from the dominant styles of French Impressionism and embraced a Dutch national identity by looking to the past, and creating art that reflected their values and traditions. Animals were a common subject, representing innocence and the beauty of the natural world, but rabbits in particular often symbolize prosperity and good fortune. Cachet would have been familiar with the traditions and techniques that were promoted through art schools, museums, and cultural organizations. These institutions encouraged artists to create work that was both beautiful and edifying. To understand this drawing better, we might explore the writings of Dutch art critics during Cachet's lifetime. These sources can help us to better understand the values, tastes, and beliefs that shaped his work.