Spotprent op de staatsbegroting voor het komende jaar, 1861 1861

This political cartoon, made by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans in 1861, is rendered in somber shades of grey, dominated by a stark, leafless tree. Its bare branches reach upwards. The visual structure evokes a sense of decay and austerity. The tree serves as a semiotic marker, its withered state symbolizing the perceived condition of the state budget. Various professions and institutions, labeled on fallen branches and debris, are scattered around the tree's base, suggesting a decline or abandonment of support. At the top, a classical building hangs precariously. Below, a bird's nest labeled "Voor den Boek" suggests vulnerability. The formal arrangement of these elements—the barren tree, the scattered remnants, and the precarious building—creates a visual argument about the instability and fragility of the state's financial situation. The artist uses these stark images to engage with broader political and philosophical concerns of his time. It encourages us to consider how societal values and priorities are reflected in the allocation of resources.