Spotprent op de adellijke namen op de prospectussen van nieuwe banken, 1865 1865

Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans created this lithograph in 1865, a commentary on Dutch society and financial institutions. The lithographic process is key here; it allowed for the relatively quick and inexpensive production of images and texts, making it an ideal medium for satire. Notice how the stark lines and contrasting tones, achieved through the printing process, emphasize the figures' expressions and gestures. The artist likely drew directly onto a lithographic stone with a greasy crayon, which determined where the ink would adhere during printing. This immediate and reproducible technique was perfectly suited to the demands of rapidly circulating social critique. The print's commentary on nobility and banking is directly linked to the rise of capitalism and new financial systems. The artist critiques the perceived moral failings of the elite, using printmaking’s accessibility to disseminate his message widely. This piece blurs the line between art and social commentary, using its medium to engage in a timely, and pointed, conversation.