Spotprent op de klerikale partijen en het onderwijs, 1885 1885

Curator: So, tell me what catches your eye about this drawing? Editor: We’re looking at a drawing called "Spotprent op de klerikale partijen en het onderwijs, 1885" or "Cartoon of the clerical parties and education, 1885" by Johan Michael Schmidt Crans. It seems to be made with pen and ink. There's this enormous tree labeled 'Onderwys' or 'Education' being attacked at the roots by these two characters... it definitely has a critical or maybe satirical mood to it. What's your take on this piece? Curator: Well, isn't it just ripe for interpretation? I’m immediately drawn to the way the artist uses symbolism. The tree, a common symbol of life and growth, represents "Education," and the branches are labeled with different levels of education. And then you’ve got these figures hacking away. To me, the humor’s pretty dark – there's something terribly knowing in their diligence to undermining a positive symbol such as education. Who do you think these 'clerical parties' are supposed to represent and what’s their goal here? Editor: Given that the drawing critiques clerical parties in 1885, I would guess that these figures embody the influence of religious institutions. Perhaps, the artist felt these parties were hindering progress by meddling with secular education. But, by “hacking” do you feel they mean to simply destroy it? Curator: Precisely. It makes me consider the historical context of church versus state at that time in Europe. A heavy question hidden behind what appears to be quite a funny little drawing. Editor: That’s an angle I hadn't considered. It highlights how cartoons can pack quite an intellectual punch. Curator: Indeed, revealing layer upon layer. Art is at its best, don't you agree, when you can keep on digging, finding something new each time?