Spotprent op de verkiezing van een lid van de Tweede Kamer namens Amsterdam, 1872 1872

This is a caricature print by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, made in 1872, commenting on an Amsterdam parliamentary election. The print, titled "Spotprent op de verkiezing van een lid van de Tweede Kamer namens Amsterdam," employs the visual language of classical mythology to critique contemporary politics. The figures resemble characters from a classical painting, yet they are clearly meant to represent figures in the political landscape of 1870s Amsterdam. What does it mean to cast these politicians in drag as gods? What is the status of their power, especially when viewed through the lens of gender? The artist does not seem to be taking them seriously. The choice of a "Pompeian Wall Painting" style connects to the 19th-century fascination with classical antiquity, but it also infuses the political critique with a sense of timelessness. It suggests these political machinations are perennial human follies. This print serves as both a historical document and a reflection on the timeless nature of political theater. It invites us to consider the roles of satire and representation in shaping public perception and power.