Spotprent op Nederlandse hoogleraren, 1871 1871

In this 1871 print by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, we see Dutch professors caricatured during their vacation. Created during a period of significant social and political change in the Netherlands, the artwork presents a satirical view of the academic elite, likely commenting on their perceived detachment from pressing societal issues. The cartoon makes light of the professors' leisure time, contrasting it with their supposed intellectual pursuits. The gathering at the "Gasthof am Rhein" evokes a sense of bourgeois comfort, far removed from the realities of everyday life for many Dutch citizens. The figures are rendered with exaggerated features and expressions, reinforcing the comedic and critical tone. The inscription at the bottom suggests the professors are at ease and unbothered: "There we can be calm, no education law can come near us." The artwork’s humor belies deeper questions about the role of intellectuals in society and the accessibility of education. It encourages us to reflect on the distance between academic life and the concerns of the broader population.