Feind speelt schaak met Herr Less 1776

This is Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki’s ‘Feind speelt schaak met Herr Less,’ an etching made in the late 18th century. Chodowiecki lived through a period of immense social and political upheaval, including the partitions of Poland and the rise of Prussian power. This image captures a game of chess, but it represents much more. Chess, often seen as a metaphor for life, and for war, is being played by two men surrounded by onlookers. The setting, illuminated by candlelight, creates an atmosphere of intensity. Chodowiecki, who came from a family with Polish and Huguenot roots, uses his art to reflect on the complex social dynamics of his time. His work provides commentary on the era's changing identities and power structures. Through his precise lines, Chodowiecki invites us to consider the intricacies of human interaction and the quiet dramas that unfold within them. This print is less about a game and more about the strategies and tensions that shape our lives.