Spotprent over de Nederland en België, 1884 1884

This is Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans's political cartoon from 1884, created with etching. The image attempts to capture the complex relationship between the Netherlands and Belgium during a period of shifting national identities. The etching seems to negotiate a sense of unity between the two regions, as suggested by the title "The Unity of North and South." The architecture implies a shared cultural heritage, however, the banners reading “L’Union Fait la Force” and “Je Maintiendrai” reference distinct national mottos, evoking the tensions between union and autonomy. The crowd of figures at the bottom is rendered anonymously, which seems to suggest a collective identity, yet their obscured faces perhaps hint at the suppression of individual voices within national narratives. The floral border adds a layer of romanticism, softening the political message with a sense of nostalgic longing. The artist invites us to consider how national identity is constructed through both shared symbols and subtle assertions of difference, reflecting the emotional and political negotiations inherent in nation-building.