Spotprent op de windhandel in Amerikaanse fondsen, 1865 1865

This is a satirical print made in 1865 by Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans using etching, a printmaking technique where acid is used to corrode an image into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The linear quality of the etching allows for a high level of detail, effectively conveying the artist’s critical perspective on the speculative trade in American bonds. Notice how the figure, representing the prosperity of Amsterdam, is drawn with exaggerated features. This amplifies the caricature and hints at the precarious nature of financial prosperity built on unstable investments. The print’s significance lies in its commentary on the economic climate of the time, reflecting concerns about the risks of foreign investments. Its creation involved skilled labor, highlighting the artist's technical ability but also the social anxieties tied to economic speculation and the flow of capital. It serves as a reminder of how art captures and critiques the material realities of its time.