Spotprent op de woordvoerder van het kabinet Heemskerk, 1867 1867

This political cartoon by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans was made in 1867. It is a commentary on the Dutch cabinet spokesperson Heemskerk and reflects the complex political landscape of the Netherlands in the late 19th century. The cartoon features a stern female figure—an allegorical representation of the Netherlands—standing before a group of seated men, presumably members of parliament. She is accompanied by a lion, a national symbol, while holding what looks like a hat. The text below the image suggests a critique of the cabinet's stance on maintaining peace and the separation of Limburg from Germany. The phrase "Een valsche Grondslag" or "A False Foundation" implies that the government's policies are built on shaky or deceitful principles. The artist's decision to depict the Netherlands as a strong, almost confrontational female figure is interesting. Was he perhaps questioning traditional representations of power? The piece invites us to consider how national identity and political discourse were constructed and contested during this period.