Spotprent op de beperking van het middelbaar onderwijs, 1863 1863

This satirical print, created by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans in 1863, presents a sharp commentary on education in the Netherlands. Dominating the foreground are two imposing figures representing "Middelbaar Onderwijs" (secondary education) and "Uitgebreid Lageronderwijs" (extended primary education) respectively, symbols of academic and social hierarchy. These figures, particularly the one embodying "Uitgebreid Lageronderwijs" with his assertive posture, remind me of similar power dynamics depicted throughout history. Think of ancient Roman depictions of emperors, or even Renaissance portrayals of wealthy merchants—each using posture and accoutrements to project authority. Consider how such imagery evolves: the Roman emperor's laurel wreath transforms into the top hat of the 19th-century burgher, each symbol intended to instill a sense of awe and perhaps even fear. This continuous reshaping of symbols reflects our collective, subconscious need to negotiate power structures. The tension between the figures in this print evokes a timeless struggle between tradition and progress, resonating with the anxieties of a society on the brink of transformation.