Spotprent op de verkiezingen te Haarlem, 1884 1884

This print, made in 1884 by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans, depicts the allegorical figure of Haarlem, referencing the Judgement of Paris. She holds an apple, symbol of discord, and sits above a crest emblazoned with the motto "Vicit vim virtus"—virtue conquers force. The apple harkens back to the classical myth where Paris had to judge the fairest goddess, sparking the Trojan War. This motif of judgment appears across art history, representing choices and their far-reaching consequences. Yet, here, it is imbued with the context of the Haarlem elections. This satirical commentary uses classical imagery to express contemporary political tensions. The presence of the apple, a symbol laden with centuries of cultural meaning, invites viewers to subconsciously engage with the underlying themes of choice and conflict, revealing how deeply ingrained these archetypes are in our collective psyche. The resurfacing and adaptation of these symbols demonstrate the non-linear, cyclical progression of cultural memory.