Kop en ogen van een konijn 1896

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet sketched these rabbit heads with graphite. Rabbits, often symbols of fertility and vulnerability, appear across cultures, from ancient folklore to modern emblems. Consider how the rabbit, in its many symbolic guises, has scampered through art history: from the innocent creature in Renaissance paintings, signifying abundance and spring, to its darker representations in folklore as a symbol of fear or the trickster archetype, a figure of cunning and deception. Think of Dürer's "Young Hare," a marvel of naturalism, the animal's wide eyes conveying innocence and a certain defenselessness, a feeling echoed in these sketches. Yet, our Cachet here offers us something more raw, more primal. The rabbit's eye, rendered with such starkness, stares out, evoking a deeper, almost subconscious connection. This recurring motif engages viewers on a profound level. We are reminded of humanity's enduring fascination with the animal kingdom. The rabbit, in art, has always been an echo of our own fears, desires, and understanding of the life cycle.