Spotprent op de speculaties op de beurs, 1863 1863

"Spotprent op de speculaties op de beurs" (1863) by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans is a satirical cartoon depicting the frenzy of stock market speculation. The drawing, created using pencil, shows a group of men in top hats, crowded together and jostling for position. They are likely stockbrokers, and their animated movements and chaotic arrangement symbolize the volatile nature of the market. A solitary figure stands detached, observing the scene, perhaps representing the sober reality of the financial world. This piece is a testament to Crans' keen eye for social commentary, reflecting the anxieties and excesses of the time.