Spotprent op Thorbecke en de wet op het hoger onderwijs, 1872 1872

This is Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans’ lithograph from 1872, a commentary on Johan Rudolph Thorbecke and the law on higher education. The piece emerges from a period of significant change in Dutch society, particularly regarding education and governance. Here, we see Thorbecke at his desk, seemingly consumed by his work. Looming over him is Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare. The visual juxtaposition speaks volumes about the tensions between the ideals of enlightenment and the practical realities of political life. Minerva’s accusatory tone suggests the emotional toll of governance, reflecting the weight of responsibility on individuals like Thorbecke. The goddess asks "Still working on higher education? Or will your law be ready in 1875 when the Leiden academy celebrates its anniversary?” Crans uses the figure of Minerva to critique not only Thorbecke’s actions but also the broader societal expectations placed on leaders. The artwork acts as a mirror, reflecting the public's hopes, fears, and judgments of its leaders during a transformative era.