Spotprent op kamerlid Cremers, 1867 1867

Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans made this print in 1867. Here, we observe a female figure, presumably an allegorical representation of Justice or Liberty. The figure places her hand on the shoulder of a man in a tailcoat, a gesture that is very similar to ones we find in classical imagery, where authority is bestowed, or a changing of the guard is taking place. The staff she holds could be a symbol of authority; an emblem of power. This symbol can be traced back to the scepters of ancient rulers, such as those carried by pharaohs in ancient Egypt, or the Roman emperors. The emotional weight of this image is hard to ignore; the visual language of power and submission between the figures speaks to a deeper, perhaps subconscious understanding of authority. This is a motif that will continue to reappear throughout history, evolving and adapting to new contexts.