Ornament met vogels 1896

This is a sketch of an ornament with birds by Carel Adolph Lion Cachet. The drawing features motifs such as stylized birds and radiating lines, common in decorative arts. Birds, historically, often symbolize the soul, freedom, or divine messengers. In ancient Egyptian art, for instance, birds were associated with deities and the afterlife, while in Christian iconography, doves represent peace and the Holy Spirit. These feathered figures reappear across cultures, from the soaring eagles of Roman power to the delicate songbirds of Japanese prints. The radiating lines might represent enlightenment or divine energy, echoing sunbursts found in Baroque art, and the halos of religious figures. Consider how these symbols create a sense of ascension. There is a psychological longing for transcendence, of breaking free from earthly constraints. This desire manifests repeatedly in visual culture, revealing humanity's subconscious yearning for connection with the divine. Symbols like these are not static, but rather evolve, and shift in meaning across time, reflecting our ever-changing psychological and cultural landscape.