Spotprent over het schip de Schorpioen en de Nederlandse marine 1886

Jan Holswilder created this lithograph, titled Spotprent over het schip de Schorpioen en de Nederlandse marine, in 1886. The lithographic process is crucial to understanding this artwork's appeal and impact. Unlike painting or sculpture, lithography allows for the relatively quick and inexpensive creation of multiple identical images. The artist would have drawn his design on a flat stone with a greasy crayon, and then chemically treated it so that ink would adhere only to the drawn areas. Look closely, and you'll see the fine lines and subtle tonal variations achieved through this printing method. The choice of lithography suggests an intention to disseminate this satirical critique of the Dutch navy widely, turning art into a form of social commentary, accessible to a broad audience. Holswilder’s print blurs the boundaries between craft, art, and political statement, highlighting the potent role of reproductive media in shaping public opinion during the late 19th century.