Een tevredene Possibly 1896 - 1897

Willem van Konijnenburg created this image, entitled "Een tevredene", with ink on paper. This piece likely reflects the shifting political landscapes of the early 20th century in the Netherlands. Here we see a caricature of a man contentedly reading a book titled "De Kieuze" (The Choice), while another figure kneels to saw away at the legs of his chair. "Conservatisme" is written across the blade. What is the choice? Who is the "New Voter"? The image speaks to the conservative forces which were in play at the time, and perhaps captures a moment of political upheaval. Konijnenburg seems interested in who is propping up the establishment, and who is trying to dismantle it. The cartoon suggests an underlying tension between tradition and change. It may make you think about the emotional experience of witnessing societal shifts. How do we grapple with progress when it challenges our sense of stability?