Spotprent op de toelating van niet-christelijken tot de Maatschappij tot Nut van 't Algemeen, 1864 1864

Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans created this satirical print in 1864 with ink on paper. At first glance, the composition seems to stage an almost theatrical procession, an array of figures delineated by precise linework that guides our eyes through a visual narrative. The artist employs stark contrasts in his lines, not just to define form but to create depth, highlighting the varied expressions and costumes of the figures. Each character embodies a distinct cultural otherness, marching towards an ambiguous structure marked "Nutt van 't Algemeen," seemingly critiquing the concept of universal benevolence. This piece can be read as a semiotic commentary on cultural inclusion versus exclusion, destabilizing the very notions of ‘usefulness’ and ‘common good’ by juxtaposing them with caricatures of non-Christian figures. The lines themselves function as boundaries but also as conveyors of bias, embodying the complex interplay between representation and ideology.