Spotprent op het niet afhandelen van de rijksbegroting van 1865 1865

This is a cartoon by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans from 1865, a period of significant political tension in the Netherlands. It addresses the delayed approval of the national budget, a situation that had significant implications for the country's governance and financial stability. The cartoon depicts a civil servant consumed by his work, perhaps a commentary on the bureaucracy and inefficiencies of the government at the time. His weary posture and the endless paperwork suggest a system bogged down by its own processes. The caption translates to "New Year's memory of an official who has long claimed improvement in fortune," indicating widespread dissatisfaction with the status quo and the desire for change. The humor in Crans' work, typical of political cartoons, is a way to critique the political elite and voice public frustration. This piece captures the emotional toll of political gridlock, a sentiment that resonates even today. It reflects how individual experiences are often intertwined with broader societal issues, highlighting the personal impact of political decisions.