Spotprent met de nieuwe ministers, 1872 1872

Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans made this print of the new ministers in 1872, using ink on paper. The fine lines are typical of the etching process, where the artist would have used a sharp needle to draw through a waxy ground on a metal plate, which was then bitten by acid, and finally printed onto paper. Though seemingly simple, this mode of production had a huge impact. The incisive nature of the etching captures the men’s sharp suits, highlighting their professional status. The printmaking process allowed for the efficient reproduction of images, which were consumed en masse at this time to sway public opinion. It is a perfect example of how art can work as propaganda. The making of this print involves skilled labor, and we might easily overlook the contribution of the printer, who would have been responsible for the final product. By considering the labor and materials of this print, we can appreciate how its manufacture is tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption.