Spotprent op de sociale kwestie, 1871 1871

This print, made in 1871 by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, depicts a worker and his forge. It's a lithograph, a process which allows for a relatively quick reproduction, apt for the mass distribution of political cartoons like this one. The stark lines and contrast are typical of the medium, but here they also underscore the harsh realities of industrial labor. We see the figure of the worker rendered with care, but within the grimy setting of the workplace, smoke filling the air. The choice of lithography speaks to a broader social context, it allowed artists to engage with pressing issues of labor, class, and politics. The amount of work involved in producing such an image is considerable, from the artist's initial drawing to the printer's skilled execution. It challenges traditional notions of fine art by directly addressing social concerns and engaging with the means of mass production.