Kalenderblad 1893 1893

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet created this calendar sheet for 1893 with woodcut. Observe the lily, prominently displayed—a symbol of purity and renewal, deeply embedded in Western art since antiquity. In early Christian art, the lily associates with the Virgin Mary, embodying her innocence and divine motherhood. This motif didn't originate in a vacuum; consider the ancient Roman use of flowers in the festival of Flora, celebrating spring and fertility, or its presence in Egyptian art as a symbol of rebirth. Cachet's lily draws on this deep well of cultural memory, yet it also transcends mere reproduction. Notice how the bloom dominates, emerging from the darkness to claim purity in a modern context. The symbol’s durability underscores our persistent psychological need for symbols of hope and spiritual cleansing. The lily, a timeless messenger, reminds us that even in a world transformed by industry, the subconscious echoes of our cultural past continue to bloom.