Spotprent bij de invoering van de nieuwe spelling, 1883 1883

This print by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans was made in 1883. It comments on the introduction of a new spelling system in the Netherlands. The image personifies letters of the alphabet as human figures and the image's composition suggests chaos and resistance. The letters ‘CH’, ‘EE’ and ‘UU’ are frantically waving their arms about, while others like ‘Z’ sit with their head in their hands. The man looming in the background bears a placard reading ‘September’. This refers to the month in which the new spelling system was formally introduced. The cartoon reflects a broader cultural anxiety related to changes in language and tradition. To understand this print more fully, we can explore Dutch social and educational reforms from the late 19th century. Contemporary sources, such as newspapers and political pamphlets, will shed light on the debates that shaped public opinion. By combining visual analysis with historical context, we can appreciate how this seemingly simple cartoon captures a moment of significant social and institutional change.