Fiscus scheert de toneelkunst 1900 - 1940

Patricq Kroon created this drawing called "Fiscus scheert de toneelkunst" – or, "The Treasury Shears the Theatrical Arts" – using pen and ink, giving it a direct, almost journalistic feel. The immediacy of the medium lends itself perfectly to satire. Kroon critiques government taxation policies that were perceived to be harming the Dutch theater scene. The caricature-like style, achieved through rapid strokes and stark contrasts, makes the message immediately clear: a menacing figure representing the tax authority, labeled 'Fiscus', is about to shear a helpless sheep, symbolizing the theatrical arts. The social commentary is deeply embedded in the work's form. The use of drawing as a medium aligns with its function as political commentary, a tradition often found outside the realm of 'high art'. The amount of labor involved in the production process seems minimal, emphasizing the urgency and the critical nature of the message. Ultimately, this drawing underscores how materials and making can serve as powerful tools for social critique, challenging conventional boundaries between art and everyday life.