De kiesdwang Possibly 1895

Willem van Konijnenburg made this political cartoon, “De Kiesdwang,” using ink on paper. The lines are simple and clear, typical of mass-produced images designed to be quickly understood by a broad audience. The drawing is a commentary on political coercion, and the title translates as "The Voting Obligation." The artist likely chose ink and paper to create a piece with a strong graphic impact, emphasizing the starkness of the message. The materials themselves are unassuming, aligning with the cartoon’s intention to disseminate a message widely. In the image, a large figure, presumably representing the legislature, forces a smaller figure to vote, while a band plays to draw a crowd. The lines are clean, allowing for efficient reproduction and widespread distribution through newspapers or pamphlets. This directly relates to the artwork’s purpose, which is to provoke thought and discussion. It's a reminder that art can take many forms and that materials and making are deeply intertwined with meaning.