Spotprent op de late kredietwetten, 1866 1866

This satirical print was created by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans in 1866, using ink on paper. The artist’s hand is evident in the hatching and cross-hatching of the ink lines, a traditional printmaking technique that conveys depth and texture. But what does this image reveal about its time? The figure’s burden of “credit laws” speaks to the changing economic landscape of the 19th century. By using the medium of print, Crans could disseminate his political commentary widely, engaging with contemporary debates about the role of finance in society. The careful execution of this print emphasizes the labor involved in its creation, highlighting the contrast between the world of finance and the tangible work of the artist. This piece thus challenges the conventional hierarchy between fine art and the more accessible world of political commentary, inviting us to consider the social context in which art is produced and consumed.