Inleiding met ornamentrand voor: Onder Neerlands vlag, 1899 1899

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet created this introduction page in 1899 with a black ink block print. The stylized border frames a dedication to Dutch art and the Dutch military. This piece was made at a time when the Netherlands was expanding its colonial power in Indonesia. The text speaks of those who, under the Dutch flag, develop themselves to achieve their beautiful goals. In this context, the ornamental design and the appeal to God may be interpreted as a projection of Dutch power onto newly occupied territories. Cachet’s piece reflects the social conditions that shape artistic production. It’s hard to imagine it being made without the backing of the Military union. To understand the full meaning of this artwork, we need to research the history of Dutch colonialism and the institutions that supported it. Only then can we fully appreciate the complex interplay of art, power, and society in this historical moment.