Spotprent met minister Heemskerk als koetsier, 1886 1886

This print, made in 1886 by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, features Minister Heemskerk as a coachman, rendered through lithography, a printmaking process involving drawing on stone with a greasy crayon. The image is dominated by dense hatching and cross-hatching, creating a range of tones from light gray to near black. This gives the print a gritty, almost industrial feel, which fits the subject matter. Note how the artist uses line to create texture, from the rough road to the ornate details of the coach itself. The crown atop the carriage hints at the weight of the state, while the broken wheel speaks to instability and failed governance. The inscription on the road is a commentary of public works or buildings. Lithography democratized image production in the 19th century, enabling mass distribution of political commentary like this. The labor-intensive process of drawing on stone, and the subsequent printing, mirrors the perceived burdens of leadership. This is not simply an image; it's a record of both artistic labor and political struggle, questioning the relationship between those who govern and the material realities they navigate.