Spotprent over Herman Schaepman 1885

This print by Jan Holswilder, from 1885, presents us with a dense crowd rendered in stark monochrome. The composition is chaotic, with figures jostling for space, creating a sense of unease and tension. Holswilder employs hatching and cross-hatching to sculpt the forms, giving them a rough-hewn quality that speaks to the satirical nature of the image. The figures are caricatured, their features exaggerated to amplify their symbolic roles. Note the central figure clutching a book labelled "BIBLIA" set against what looks like a military parade. The interplay between light and shadow is also significant. Holswilder strategically uses darkness to obscure parts of the scene, creating a sense of mystery and foreboding, reflecting a critical commentary on religious and political structures of the time. The print functions as a critique, destabilizing notions of piety and patriotism by revealing what Holswilder sees as the undercurrents of power.