Theo Heemskerk as an alchemist trying in vain to distill a report from members of a commission set up to reform the constitution of the Netherlands. Line block after J. Braakensiek, 1912.

  • Braakensiek, Joh. (Johan Coenraad), 1858-1940.
Date:
9 June 1912
Reference:
17705i
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view Theo Heemskerk as an alchemist trying in vain to distill a report from members of a commission set up to reform the constitution of the Netherlands. Line block after J. Braakensiek, 1912.

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Credit

Theo Heemskerk as an alchemist trying in vain to distill a report from members of a commission set up to reform the constitution of the Netherlands. Line block after J. Braakensiek, 1912. Wellcome Collection. In copyright. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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Description

The Staatscommissie-Heemskerk was set up in 1910 to advise on reform of the franchise in the Netherlands. The chairman was Theo Heemskerk, the president (prime) minister and minister of home affairs. The commission contained members from a wide range of political parties (liberal, Roman Catholic, antirevolutionary, social democrats, free democrats, old liberals, and the Christelijk-Historische Partij). It issued its report in 1912 but had been unable to reach a conclusion, and no reforms resulted from it; hence the present comparison between the commission and the futile work of over-optimistic alchemists as described in Pieter Bruegel's engraving

Publication/Creation

Amsterdam : [De Amsterdammer], 9 June 1912 ([Amsterdam] : Amst. Boek- en Steendrukkerij, v/h. Ellerman, Harms & co.)

Physical description

1 process print : line block ; image 23.8 x 34.1 cm

Lettering

De alchemist. (Heemskerk distilleert uit de leden der Staatscommissie voor Grondwetsherziening het Rapport) Naar Pieter Brueghel ... Lettering above heads clockwise from top left: Lohman. Kuyper. Troelstra. Heemskerk. Cort V.D. Linde. Oppenheim. Nolens. [Dialogue:] Al gemist! [On book, bottom right:] Joh. B

Reference

Wellcome Collection 17705i

Creator/production credits

Lettering attributes the composition to Pieter Bruegel. The phrase "Al gemist!" comes from Bruegel's engraving of an alchemist, but the composition is descended from a painting by David Teniers the younger in the Mauritshuis, The Hague (no. 261)

Ownership note

Presented to the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum in 1913, by Pieter Van de Wielen of Amsterdam.

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