Frank van Borsselen ontvangt zijn doodvonnis terwijl hij trictrac speelt, 1433 1785 - 1787

Jacobus Buys created this pen and gray ink drawing titled "Frank van Borsselen ontvangt zijn doodvonnis terwijl hij trictrac speelt, 1433," sometime in the 18th century. At first glance, we see a snapshot of power and vulnerability, but let’s consider what’s really at stake here: Frank van Borsselen’s life and legacy. Trictrac, a backgammon-like game, serves as a poignant backdrop to the delivery of van Borsselen's death sentence, encapsulating the volatile nature of fortune and power. The stark contrast in the figures' postures — one seated and seemingly nonchalant, the other standing and authoritative — heightens the dramatic tension. Buys situates us within the narrative of Dutch aristocratic life and political intrigue. This image prompts us to consider the relationship between personal enjoyment and public fate, between the individual and the state. It speaks to the precariousness of life under authoritarian rule. This drawing serves as a moment to confront historical injustices, and reflect on the complex interplay between fate, power, and individual agency.