Het Nieuw en Vermaekelyk Ganze-Spel, hoe en op wat maniere men het spelen moet c. 1810

Editor: This woodcut and engraving print from around 1810, called "Het Nieuw en Vermaekelyk Ganze-Spel," looks like an elaborate board game. It has a kind of folksy, almost naive feel. What do you see in it? Curator: Beyond its aesthetic charm, I see a reflection of social structures and leisure practices. Board games like these, circulating widely in early 19th century Europe, acted as not just amusement, but a vehicle for disseminating social norms and reinforcing cultural values. Editor: How so? Curator: Look at the imagery; it depicts a range of characters in varied social circumstances. Who is being represented, and who is absent? Games such as this provide insights into the era’s power dynamics, societal expectations, and even nascent forms of social mobility or its illusion. Editor: That's interesting. So, the act of playing the game is participating in the societal values being represented. I notice also that many of the people are portrayed drinking and gambling. Was the game didactic in any sense? Curator: Exactly. The inclusion of potentially "vice" activities offers a moral landscape of possibilities, a journey through temptation and reward. We can further consider this piece alongside discourses surrounding education and entertainment, and ask ourselves who had access to leisurely play and what lessons, both intended and unintended, the experience communicated about gender, class and ethical codes. Games mirrored life but also shaped how it was imagined and lived. Editor: So, it’s not just a game, it's a tiny stage for understanding societal values and norms! Thanks! I didn’t consider it that way. Curator: Precisely! I’m glad we could unlock another layer of insight within this work.