Herdruk van de satire op de aansporing tot deelneming in de (zogenaamde) vrijwillige 3% geldlening van 1844 (blad 5) 1844

This satirical print by Herman Frederik Carel ten Kate, dating from around 1844, presents a critique through a series of visual vignettes rendered in fine lines and detailed compositions. The use of monochrome etching emphasizes clarity and precision, directing our attention to the structured arrangement of scenes across the page. Each panel, distinct yet interconnected, forms a larger narrative questioning the 'voluntary' loan of 1844. We see human figures frozen in various states of distress or exploitation. Look at the composition of each panel – how the figures are grouped, framed, and related to each other. Note the calculated design that serves as a commentary on economic and social structures. The artist employs a semiotic system where visual cues serve as signs. This work destabilizes the notion of voluntary contribution, exposing underlying power dynamics. The overall formal structure—the arrangement of images and text—becomes a potent tool for social critique, turning the aesthetic into a critical engagement with contemporary issues.