Koppen en studies c. 1895

This drawing, "Koppen en studies", was created by Carel Adolph Lion Cachet. Look closely, and you’ll see human figures, faces with hats, and vessels drawn with a fluid hand. The vessels might appear humble, yet their form echoes the amphorae of ancient Greece, vessels used to transport and store precious goods. But the vessels are just one form in a sketch book filled with writing. Like the vessels, the simple shape of the hat is echoed in imagery from distant lands and times – think of the traveler’s hat in Japanese prints, or the wide-brimmed hats worn during the Renaissance. These hats were worn on a journey, but also symbolize intellectual pursuit and exploration. The repetition of these shapes across cultures and epochs hints at the non-linear progression of memory and influence, a cyclical return of forms. The sketches remind us of the enduring power of symbols and forms to connect us to our shared human experience.