Politieke spotprent over artikel 194, 1886 1886

This political cartoon, created in 1886 by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, casts a sharp eye on the machinations surrounding Article 194. At its heart, we see a cauldron labeled “Art. 194”, a concentrated symbol of political debate and legislative action. Figures stir this bubbling pot, their actions reminiscent of witches brewing a potion, implying manipulation. But the phrase beneath—"MON COVIVIS SED COGIVIS"—suggests a more profound question about community. It echoes the act of considering, suggesting that collective thought or communal spirit has been corrupted. The image evokes ancient rituals of transformation, but here, the transformation seems suspect, tainted by hidden agendas and obscured intentions. Just as ancient alchemists sought to transmute base metals into gold, so too, perhaps, are these figures attempting to alter something fundamental within society. The cartoon speaks to the eternal struggle between power, manipulation, and the collective will, reminding us that political actions are often shrouded in symbolism, engaging our emotions and subconscious. These symbols connect the political discourse of the day with a deeper, more primal understanding of human nature and societal dynamics.