Ontwerp voor familiewapen van Cornelis Maarschalk, burgemeester van Haarlem 1874 - 1945

This is a drawing for a family crest for Cornelis Maarschalk, mayor of Haarlem, made with pencil on paper by Carel Adolph Lion Cachet. I love that it is on graph paper – you can see the process, the underlying structure of the crest, and all those lovely, repeated fish. Cachet is thinking through the design, the subtle shifts in the fish, their direction, like a dance across the page, it reminds me of my own process of drawing and redrawing. The texture of the paper, with its regular grid, adds another layer. It makes me consider how the grid both supports and constrains the artist's creativity. The circular form containing the shield feels so complete, while the three fish each hold a unique position within the overall composition. Perhaps it's about abundance, family, the flow of life. This piece is a bit different from Cachet’s graphic design work; it makes me think of other artists, like M.C. Escher, who play with pattern and form. Ultimately, it reminds us that art is an ongoing conversation, and the meaning is always open to interpretation.