Tempel van het geluk 1816

Jan Oortman created this board game, "Tempel van het geluk," using etching, a printmaking process. The design is incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with acid, allowing for detailed lines and imagery. This was a highly skilled, labor-intensive process, demanding careful planning and execution. The board’s imagery combines classical motifs, like the temple of fortune in the center, with scenes of everyday life, guiding players through stages of fortune and misfortune. The text integrated into the design emphasizes the game's moral and instructive purpose. The materiality of the print—the smooth surface of the paper, the fineness of the lines—contrasts with the often chaotic and unpredictable nature of the game itself. Each impression, pulled from the etched plate, carries with it the labor of the artisan. This piece invites us to reflect on the interplay between chance and skill, not just in the game, but also in its creation.