Spotprent over Europese afpersing van niet-westerse landen 1887

Jan Holswilder made this print titled *Financial Politics* in 1887, and it was published as part of a series called “Plate of the Lantern.” The image depicts two European sailors, who are stereotypically and cartoonishly rendered, coercing a Black man who clutches a sack labelled ‘gold’. This Dutch print reflects the expansionist financial policies of Europe at that time, and it clearly critiques the economic coercion of non-Western nations. The artist uses visual codes, associating the Europeans with order and power through their uniforms, while the Black man is represented as vulnerable and exploited. To fully understand this piece, we need to consider the history of Dutch colonialism and the economic policies that shaped its relationship with other nations. This historical context, along with an understanding of the artist’s intentions, allows us to interpret the artwork as a critique of the social structures of its time. Further study into Dutch financial policy during this period can provide more context.