Ontwerp voor ex libris van D.J. Goedkoop 1874 - 1945

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this design for an ex libris, or bookplate, for D.J. Goedkoop, using brush and ink. The brushstrokes here feel so decisive, the kind of bold, graphic moves that come from knowing exactly what you want to say. It's like each mark is laid down with real intention, almost like a calligraphic gesture. Looking closely, you can see how the ink varies, creating depth and texture. The blacks are so rich and opaque in some areas, and then almost transparent in others, letting the paper breathe through. Notice the central shape, almost like a lamp, how the ink pools, and how the details are both precise and suggestive. The way Lion Cachet plays with positive and negative space makes this design so engaging. It's a dance of form and void, each informing the other. I see a connection with the work of someone like Hilma af Klint, with her interest in symbolism and abstract forms. Both artists are interested in the power of images to convey meaning beyond the purely representational.