Spotprent op een bepaling omtrent het salueren, 1863 1863

This political cartoon was made by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans in 1863, using ink on paper. It is not necessarily the high-end art materials that intrigue me in this piece, but the social significance imbued in the making. The linear quality of the drawing, achieved through pen and ink, lends itself well to the satirical intent. Notice the artist's meticulous rendering of the soldier's uniform and accoutrements, and the use of caricature to mock military authority. The choice of a print, with its capacity for reproduction, suggests a desire for broad dissemination. The print medium allowed for accessibility, enabling widespread critique of social and political norms. We can consider it as a form of visual activism, where the materials and methods of production are integral to its message. It's a reminder that art and craft are intertwined with social and political discourse, challenging conventional hierarchies.