Ex libris van het stoomschip Koningin Wilhelmina 1910

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this Ex libris for the steamboat Koningin Wilhelmina probably as a woodcut, sometime around 1910. The stark contrast of black and white really grabs you, doesn’t it? It’s like a visual shout, and with those lions, it feels really bold and declarative. Looking closely, you can see how Lion Cachet balances the graphic with the decorative. The lions are strong, but the swirling foliage softens everything. See how the black ink almost seems to pool in the corners? It gives a sense of depth and age to the image. This print reminds me a little of Aubrey Beardsley, with that same love for line and playful composition. It makes you think about how artists are always borrowing and riffing off each other, creating this ongoing conversation through time.