Spotprent op gemengde burgerscholen, 1871 1871

In this 1871 drawing by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, we observe a classroom scene rendered with delicate lines and a clear structural composition. The linear perspective draws our eye toward the back of the classroom, while the figures are arranged across the benches. Schmidt Crans uses line and form to satirize the idea of co-educational schools. The composition is cleverly structured to contrast the teacher's focused isolation with the students' amorous interactions, highlighting a critique of the perceived chaos and distractions within mixed-gender classrooms. The arrangement of bodies and the subtle play of shadow suggest a deeper commentary on social order and the perceived disruption caused by mixing genders in educational spaces. The drawing employs the visual language of satire to engage with contemporary debates about education and social norms, inviting viewers to reflect on the structures that govern learning environments.