Spotprent op het conservatieve regeringsstelsel in Java, 1862 1862

This satirical print was made by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans in 1862. It critiques the conservative governance of Java under Dutch colonial rule. The image presents us with a cow, representing Javanese society, hobbled by bands labeled "Heerendiensten-adat," or "feudal service customs," and "Europese-Privilegie," or "European Privilege". A Javanese man and a Dutch official stand by, seemingly indifferent to the cow's constrained movement. The text translates as, "The Indian society is not yet ready for higher development." This is a comment on the prevailing colonial mindset that justified exploitation under the guise of preparing the natives for civilization. Schmidt Crans created this artwork during a period of increasing tensions in Java. By employing visual metaphors and pointed text, the print challenged the legitimacy of Dutch colonial practices. To fully understand this artwork, one should research the history of Dutch colonialism in Java, examining sources from both colonizers and the colonized. Only then can we appreciate the subtle but powerful critique embedded in this seemingly simple image.