Spotprent met minister Van Mulken, 1870 1870

This is a caricature of Minister Van Mulken, made in 1870 by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans. It features a sparse yet dynamic composition, focusing on the interplay between line and space to convey political commentary. The minister is drawn with confident strokes, seated with an air of nonchalance. The artist masterfully uses contrasting lines and empty spaces to create a sense of unease. Three men are depicted behind him, their gestures implying interrogation, holding a puppet that is stabbing him. The linearity, though simple, effectively communicates the tension and the minister's apparent indifference to the situation. The placement of text within the artwork is also critical. Words like "Buitenlandse Zaken" and "Oorlog" are incorporated directly into the scene on his chair and feet, becoming integral structural elements. This technique underscores the cartoon's critique of the minister’s policies and the political climate of the time. The drawing challenges fixed meanings, and engages with new ways of thinking about power and representation.