Spotprent op Groen van Prinsterer op een bal, 1863 1863

This caricature of Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, dating back to 1863, captures a peculiar moment with sharp lines. The eye is drawn to the fan held by the woman to the left, emblazoned with ‘Ongeloof’ and ‘Evolutie’. The fan, historically a symbol of coquetry and hidden messages, here becomes a tool of ideological expression. The words suggest the tension between religious dogma and evolving scientific thought. Consider how the 'wheel of fortune' or 'rota Fortunae' appears in medieval art – a similar circular motif symbolizing the capricious nature of fate and change. In this image, however, it represents an intellectual challenge to established beliefs. The juxtaposition of the woman’s theatrical pose and the man presenting a document labeled 'Opportuniteit' reveals a deeper conflict: the clash between entrenched conservatism and emerging liberal ideals. The artist taps into a collective anxiety about societal transformation, engaging us on a visceral level with the emotional and intellectual turmoil of the era. This symbol recurs throughout history as the constant dance between belief and progress.