Ontwerp voor versiering voor Herengracht 527 1898

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet designed this decoration for Herengracht 527 using watercolor. We see a grand architectural facade with a horse-drawn carriage in the foreground, evoking a sense of ceremony and importance. The architectural arch, brightly illuminated, has been a significant symbol throughout history, representing transitions and passages. Think of triumphal arches in ancient Rome, meant to honor military leaders. The arch in Cachet’s design reminds me of the proscenium arch in a theatre, suggesting a stage upon which life unfolds. This symbol transcends time and has appeared in various cultural contexts; from the sacred arches in religious buildings meant to elevate the divine, to their presence in domestic architecture as doors and windows, which remind us of the continuities in human experiences. The motif has evolved, yet its psychoanalytic essence remains unchanged as a passage, promising new perspectives.