Spotprent met Schaepman en de Eerste Kamer, 1887 1887

This political cartoon was created in 1887 by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, using ink on paper. The artist used hatching and cross-hatching lines to build up the image, which has been printed to allow for mass distribution and consumption. The relatively low cost of these materials speaks to a key function of printed images at this time: to bring political commentary to a broad audience. Notice how the artist has meticulously created this commentary through the figures and objects in the cartoon. The opulence of Schaepman’s costume contrasts with the plain dress of the figure representing the senate. While the artist may have worked alone to create the drawing, its ultimate appearance and meaning are tied to wider social issues, labor, and politics. Considering the materials and making of this artwork, the image is not just about what it represents, but also how it was made and distributed, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.