De Nederlandsche politieke corrida Possibly 1897 - 1898

Willem van Konijnenburg produced this lithograph, “De Nederlandsche politieke corrida” around the turn of the century. It offers a satirical perspective on Dutch politics. By using the metaphor of a Spanish bullfight, Konijnenburg critiques the political spectacle and the roles of its key players. Note how politicians are depicted as matadors and picadors, engaging with a bull labeled “Pierson”. This refers to Nicolaas Pierson, a prominent Dutch politician and Prime Minister. The image was published in the magazine “De Kroniek”, suggesting its intent to engage in public discourse. The visual codes of bullfighting—a symbol of power, risk, and tradition—serve to highlight the perceived drama and adversarial nature of political contests. The packed arena in the background implies that these contests were staged for the entertainment of the masses. To understand this image fully, we need to delve into Dutch political history of the period and consider the publications and political parties which were prevalent at the time. In doing so, we can gain insight into the artist’s critique of Dutch political institutions and their relationship to the public.