Decoratief ontwerp met opstaande degen 1874 - 1945

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet created this decorative design with an upright sword, but we don’t know exactly when. The sword, traditionally a symbol of power and justice, is here framed by laurel leaves, suggesting victory and honor. But, it is the cultural and historical context in which Cachet was working that gives this image its full meaning. Cachet was working at a time when Dutch national identity was being heavily contested. The country was struggling to reconcile its colonial past with its aspirations for a more democratic future. The sword, as a symbol, thus becomes a flashpoint for these tensions: does it represent the defense of national values, or the violence of colonial expansion? By studying the visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations present in Cachet's design, we can gain insight into the complex social and political landscape of the Netherlands at the turn of the century. Through careful research, considering period documents and artistic manifestos, we can come to a more nuanced understanding.