Spotprent op redevoering van kamerlid Van Loon tegen de afschaffing van de doodstraf, 1870 1870

This is a lithograph made in 1870 by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, commenting on a speech given by parliamentarian Van Loon against the abolishment of the death penalty in the Netherlands. As a lithograph, this print was made by drawing on a flat stone with a greasy crayon, then chemically treating the stone so that ink would adhere only to the drawn areas. This method allowed for relatively quick reproduction, making it ideal for political cartoons intended for wide circulation. The stark black lines on the pale paper give the image a direct, forceful quality. The artist's lines are energetic but crude; the image isn't about aesthetic finesse, it's about getting the message across. The relatively simple printing process would have allowed for a large number of impressions to be made and distributed widely, contributing to public discourse on the controversial issue. Ultimately, appreciating this lithograph involves understanding its status as a mass-produced artifact, designed to influence public opinion through accessible imagery and affordable production.