Spotprent op de troonrede, 1885 1885

Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans created this lithograph titled 'Spotprent op de troonrede' in 1885. At first glance, one is confronted with a stark composition of dark ink on a light background, dominated by an ostrich burying its head into a watery landscape. The lines are precise yet gestural, forming a dense, almost chaotic texture on the bird's body, which contrasts sharply with the smooth, elongated neck. This formal juxtaposition evokes a sense of unease, highlighting the central theme of denial. The ostrich, a well-known symbol of avoidance, is placed beneath a list of pressing social and political issues written in a deliberately casual script. The composition thus becomes a visual commentary on the act of ignoring problems. By using the ostrich as a signifier, Schmidt Crans leverages a recognizable cultural code to critique governmental inaction. The choice of lithography as a medium further emphasizes the political nature of the work. The stark, reproducible lines suggest a medium intended for mass dissemination, aiming to provoke public discourse on these unresolved issues.