Spotprent op de Minister van Buitenlandse Zaken Van Zuylen, 1867 1867

This is a caricature made in 1867 by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, using line drawing. The composition is divided into two main figures, one imposing and the other diminutive, setting up a visual contrast that immediately suggests a power dynamic. Notice the use of line. Thin, precise lines define the allegorical figure on the left, lending her a sense of classical authority, while rougher, more erratic lines depict the figure on the right. This contrast in linework undermines the idea of straightforward representation, suggesting instead a critical, ironic perspective. The figure on the left is a large woman, perhaps representing the state or power, a lion sits at her feet. In contrast, the figure on the right is a smaller, less powerful man. The semiotic system at play here hinges on the destabilization of established symbols. The classical figure, typically associated with wisdom and strength, appears to be undermined by the presence of the smaller figure clutching a sign which translates to 'saves peace in Europe'. This juxtaposition challenges the notion of fixed meanings, suggesting that even the most revered symbols are open to interpretation and can be subverted to convey complex, often contradictory messages.