Spotprent op de drie geplande monumenten, 1863 1863

This satirical print by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, created in 1863, depicts a procession of men, each bearing signs for rival monument projects. The outstretched arms and urgent gestures of the figures are evocative of ancient supplicatory poses. Consider how such gestures recur throughout history, from classical orators to religious figures, each striving to influence public opinion. Note how the pointing gesture, seemingly straightforward, becomes charged with ambition and rivalry in this context. This primal impulse to assert oneself, to direct attention, is a recurring theme in human endeavor. One cannot help but recall the pointing fingers in Renaissance paintings, directing us toward divine revelation. Yet here, the gesture is divorced from spiritual intent, grounded in earthly competition. The image taps into our collective memory of such symbolic gestures, creating a potent commentary on the vanity and ambition underlying public works. It serves as a reminder of how even the noblest of aspirations can be tainted by human foibles.