Spotprent op de benoeming van Otto van Rees als de nieuwe gouverneur-generaal van Nederlands-Indië, 1884 1884

This satirical cartoon by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, created in 1884, depicts the appointment of Otto van Rees as the new governor-general of the Dutch East Indies. The cartoon shows a group of men seated around a table, with a large pie labeled "INSULIND" at its center. The man in the center, presumably Van Rees, is holding a knife, while a man to his right appears to be crying, symbolizing the burden of governing the colony. The caption "De Koning drinkt!" (The King drinks!) adds to the satirical nature of the piece, highlighting the power dynamics at play. This caricature offers a glimpse into the public perception of colonial governance and the humor used to critique its complexities.