Spotprent over de lege schatkist van de regering, 1884 1884

This satirical print of 1884, by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, uses lithography to make its point. The lithographic process—drawing on a stone with a greasy crayon, then using ink to transfer that image to paper—allowed for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction, a perfect medium for political commentary. The stark black lines on the white ground emphasize the gaunt, almost skeletal cattle representing the government’s empty treasury. Note the contrast between the detailed rendering of the emaciated cows and the more sketch-like depiction of the figures observing them. The artist, or perhaps the printer, would have needed skilled hands to create the image and pull the prints. The print's critical message about government finances reflects the economic anxieties of the time, and it's a potent reminder that even seemingly simple images can be deeply embedded in social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. By understanding the materials and the making, we gain a fuller appreciation of this work, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.