Spotprent op de begroting van oorlog, 1871 1871

This print, made in 1871 by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, presents us with a telling scene of commerce and militarism. The most striking symbol here is the sword, held rigidly by the soldier. The sword—historically a symbol of power, justice, and protection—appears in this lithograph almost as an idle accessory. Think of the Archangel Michael, his sword raised triumphantly against evil, or the Roman gladius, representing military might. Yet here, the sword seems more of a burden, a tool awaiting use, its potential energy held in check. There's a subtle psychological tension in the juxtaposition of the shopkeeper, animated and expressive, and the soldier, stoic and contained. This contrast speaks to a deeper unease about the commodification of war and the human cost of conflict. It evokes the eternal dance between destruction and creation. A dance, sadly, that continues to resonate.