Spotprent over de zomervakantie, 1863 1863

This lithograph was made in 1863 by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, depicting the contributors to the Dutch Spectator magazine on vacation. Lithography, a printmaking process using a stone or metal plate with a smooth surface, allowed for relatively quick reproductions. In this case, it enabled Schmidt Crans to circulate his pointed commentary on leisure, labor and class. Notice how some figures travel to distant, exotic locations like Switzerland or Wiesbaden. Others can only afford destinations closer to home such as Delft. The artist makes sure to include every detail of his characters. This contrast speaks volumes about the social stratification of 19th-century Dutch society, where access to leisure and travel was determined by one's economic status. By choosing lithography, Schmidt Crans democratized his art. What would have been exclusive became accessible. Ultimately, this print challenges us to reflect on labor, leisure, and the ways in which they intersect with social and economic realities.