Spotprent op de controle van de tekst van de troonrede, 1869 1869

Johan Michaël Schmidt Crans created this print in 1869, and it offers a satirical glimpse into Dutch parliamentary politics during a period of significant social and political change. The cartoon depicts members of the First Chamber meticulously scrutinizing the text of the Speech from the Throne, a key moment in Dutch politics where the monarch outlines the government's policies for the coming year. The artist cleverly portrays this process as an "anatomy," dissecting the speech word by word, revealing the power dynamics at play. The lone figure gazing into the chamber suggests a sense of alienation or perhaps a critical outsider observing the political machinations. The text below the cartoon reads "They sit weighing every word... and I--I completely lost my mind!!!" expresses frustration with the political process. Schmidt Crans uses humor to comment on the meticulous, sometimes absurd, nature of political discourse. The cartoon thus not only reflects a specific historical moment but also resonates with broader questions about the nature of representation, power, and the role of the individual within a larger political system.