Spotprent 1877

"Spotprent" (1877), a lithograph by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, is a satirical illustration depicting a scene of financial hardship, referencing the "empty treasury" of a nation. The artwork captures a conversation between three figures, likely representing different societal roles, with a woman seated and lamenting the lack of gold in the open chest. The use of line drawing and a humorous tone, coupled with the Dutch text, highlights the artist's critique of contemporary political and economic issues, drawing attention to societal anxieties and the struggle of common people.