Spotprent op het voorstel om de provinciale gerechtshoven te vervangen, 1873 1873

This print by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans was made in 1873 using an unspecified technique. It depicts a proposal to replace provincial courts in the Netherlands. The image presents a critical view of institutional reform. Note how the artist arranges figures around a statue of Lady Justice. On the left are the courts which must make way. On the right, cities like 'Hertogenbosch and Leeuwarden come muffled through the back door,' suggesting a secretive and underhanded process. The text reinforces this, stating that 'Justice is still blind.' By employing satire, the artist voices public concerns about transparency and fairness. To fully understand this piece, researchers might explore newspaper archives and political pamphlets from the period. Art like this reflects the tensions and debates of its time. The meaning and value of art are always tied to specific social and institutional circumstances.