Spotprent op het Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken, 1868 1867

This satirical spot drawing by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans titled “Spotprent op het Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken, 1868" (1867) depicts a woman in a Dutch national costume peering over the rooftops of a building towards a tower with a clock. The drawing references a 19th-century political controversy in the Netherlands. The woman represents the Dutch people while the clock tower symbolizes the "Blassé" movement, a political faction, and the building the Ministry of the Interior. The image is a commentary on the political climate in the Netherlands during that time. The drawing's satirical style critiques the government and its policies, making it a valuable document for understanding the political landscape of the 19th century. This small-scale work, measuring 275 mm by 215 mm, is executed in black ink and provides a whimsical yet insightful perspective on Dutch politics.