Spotprent over de koepokinenting, 1883 1883

This political cartoon was created in 1883 by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, using an engraving technique. It directly addresses the social controversy around the smallpox vaccination in the Netherlands, signified by the figure carrying a bag labeled 'Anti Vaccine.' The specter looming over him represents a doctor who once supported vaccines, now seemingly returned from the grave to warn against them. Consider the time it was made: the late 19th century saw a rise in public health debates. Cartoons like this played a crucial role in shaping public opinion, using satire to critique anti-vaccination arguments. Note the signpost to Oud-Beijerland; a local reference that would have resonated with contemporary viewers, perhaps indicating a region with strong anti-vaccination sentiment. Understanding this artwork means exploring the public health policies and social anxieties of the late 19th century. Contemporary newspapers, medical journals, and public health reports can give us insight. These resources help us to understand the visual culture and institutional history that shaped this cartoon's critical message.