Spotprent op de staatsbegroting voor het komende jaar, 1861 1861

Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans's 1861 satirical print, *Spotprent op de staatsbegroting voor het komende jaar, 1861*, is a humorous commentary on Dutch politics. The print depicts a tree with a bird's nest representing the "State Budget" for the upcoming year, perched precariously on a branch. Beneath the tree, a collection of broken branches, each labeled with a different government department, symbolizes the state of Dutch politics. Crans's use of caricature and symbolism highlights the fragility and vulnerability of the Dutch government. This work is an excellent example of the use of satire in art to comment on current events.