Spotprent op de opening van de spoorlijn Den Haag-Gouda-Utrecht, 1870 1870

This satirical print by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, made in 1870, commemorates the opening of the railway line between The Hague, Gouda, and Utrecht. Created using etching, a process involving the use of acid to incise lines on a metal plate, this artwork reflects the social impact of industrialization on Dutch society. The choice of etching as a medium, with its capacity for detailed line work and reproduction, aligns with the rise of print culture and mass communication in the 19th century. The storks, symbols of The Hague, are depicted as travelers, laden with luggage and anxieties about the changing world. This speaks to the broader societal concerns surrounding progress and tradition, as well as the accessibility of travel for those with means. The print underscores the intricate relationship between technological advancement, cultural identity, and the evolving landscape of labor and leisure in a rapidly industrializing world.