Spotprent op minister F.A. van Hall, 1860 1860

This lithograph was made in 1860 by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans. It is a prime example of how printmaking served as a vehicle for social critique. The artist has used lithography, a process that allows for the reproduction of fine lines, here used to create a satirical image of minister F.A. van Hall, depicted as a magician. Lithography, unlike engraving, involves drawing on a flat stone with a greasy crayon, embracing the immediacy of the artist’s hand. From a craft perspective, the print relies on the skilled labor of the artist and printer, whose work is often overlooked. The caricature highlights the minister’s perceived manipulation of the public, pulling figures out of a hat like a magician. The quality of line imbues the artwork with the precision needed to convey its message, and make it reproducible on a large scale. Consider how the print medium and its associated processes contribute to its meaning.