Dimensions: height 275 mm, width 215 mm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
This print by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, made in 1869, captures the proliferation of newspapers following the abolishment of the Dutch newspaper tax. Dominating the scene, we see a figure walking amidst a field where newspapers sprout like mushrooms. The newspapers, bearing titles, symbolize the rapid growth and spread of information. This imagery taps into a collective anxiety: the fear of being overwhelmed by the uncontrollable dissemination of news. Across cultures, the mushroom has symbolized rapid growth. Here, the artist plays on this symbolism, evoking a sense of unease. It's a visual metaphor that transcends time, reminiscent of ancient allegories where nature reflects the human condition. It reflects a deep-seated human fear—the fear of being overtaken by something beyond our control. The rapid growth of media becomes a mirror, reflecting our own anxieties about progress.
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