Figuurstudies c. 1890

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made these “Figure Studies” using graphite on paper. Graphite, as a readily available material, democratized drawing, making it accessible for quick sketches and studies like this. Notice how the artist used a very economical and swift application. The marks are light and searching, capturing the essence of form with minimal effort. The gray hues are constrained, and the texture of the paper is visible beneath the graphite, reminding us of the immediacy and intimacy of the drawing process. These studies weren't about creating a finished piece, but rather about understanding form and proportion, and honing a skill, a crucial aspect of academic artistic training. These quick sketches served as preparation for more elaborate projects, where the real labor and artistic skill would be put on display. In Cachet’s case, the sketches may have been leading to his designs of furniture, bookbindings, and other decorative arts. By appreciating the material and the making, we recognize the blend of traditional and functional aims in Lion Cachet's practice, challenging our conventional ideas about art and craft.