Pastoor Jacobus Joannes Burgmeijer ontvangt laurierkrans van Mozessculptuur; Russische joden op de vlucht - Anonymous

A 1891 Dutch political lithograph featuring a dual-scene composition contrasting religious tolerance with the persecution of Jewish refugees in Russia.

This lithograph, published in the Dutch periodical 'Het Geïllustreerd Politie-Nieuws' on 15 October 1891, presents a stark visual juxtaposition common in late nineteenth-century satirical and social commentary prints. The composition is divided into two distinct scenes, each serving a specific narrative purpose within the context of contemporary Dutch social and international political discourse.

The left panel depicts Pastor Jacobus Joannes Burgmeijer receiving a laurel wreath from a sculpture of Moses, labelled 'Verdraagzaamheid' (Tolerance). This scene comments on the religious and social climate of the Netherlands at the time, using classical and biblical iconography to elevate the subject. The artist employs a clear, illustrative line to define the statue and the figure of the priest, creating a sense of solemnity.

In contrast, the right panel, titled 'Wandaden' (Atrocities), illustrates the plight of Jewish refugees fleeing Russia. The figures are rendered with more frantic, expressive lines to convey the urgency and violence of their situation. A soldier is shown wielding a weapon, while a family moves past a signpost marked 'Rusland'. This section of the print reflects the widespread European concern regarding the persecution of Jewish populations in the Russian Empire during the late 1800s.

The inclusion of commercial text, such as the advertisement for 'Deli-Extra-Stout' and the 'Amsterdamsch Schoenenmagazijn', provides a glimpse into the ephemeral nature of such publications. These prints were intended for a broad audience, combining news, social critique, and advertising. The work serves as a document of the period, capturing the intersection of local religious figures and international humanitarian crises as they were presented to the Dutch public in the late nineteenth century.