Spotprent 1877

"Spotprent," an 1877 satirical illustration by Dutch artist Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans (1830-1907), depicts a woman sweeping a river, suggesting a monumental task. The river’s path is marked by Dutch city names, implying the artist’s commentary on political and social issues of the time. This caricature, executed in pen and ink, satirizes political situations and exposes the struggles of the Dutch people. The artist uses humor and exaggeration to make a pointed statement about the state of the country. The illustration’s small size (275 x 215 mm) adds to its intimate and poignant impact.