Spotprent over het aftreden van Trakranen als minister van Koloniën, 1867 1867

This political cartoon, made in 1867 by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, is printed on paper using etching and line engraving. A satire on the resignation of Trakranen as Minister of Colonies, the print depicts a dresser, standing in for the Dutch cabinet, in a state of disarray. The production of prints like this one was relatively straightforward, involving the creation of a matrix – in this case, likely a metal plate – that was then inked and pressed onto paper. The image shows a familiar item of furniture, here invested with symbolic meaning. The print would have been relatively inexpensive and accessible, allowing for broad distribution of its political message. We might consider how the artist employed his skill to convey his viewpoint on the politics of his day, using familiar visual language to engage a broad audience. And, as with any designed object, it is embedded with social meaning about labor, class, and power. Understanding the context of its production can deepen our appreciation of its significance as a cultural artifact.