Esser relied on clear, narrative imagery to communicate complex political shifts to a broad audience. He often used animals to represent status and failure. In Napoleon stapt van de os op de ezel, he used the transition from an ox to a donkey to symbolise the emperor's loss of dignity and power. His style avoided the academic conventions of his time. He preferred direct, often humorous compositions that allowed viewers to immediately grasp the satirical intent.

Modern collectors value Esser for his role as a visual commentator on European history. His prints provide a window into the humour and anxieties of the early nineteenth century. Prints like Het Dolhuijs show his ability to handle social subjects beyond politics. These prints function as historical documents and as examples of Dutch graphic art. They offer a specific perspective on a period of rapid change in Europe.