Game of Life c. 19th century

Curator: This is William B. Annin's engraving after Moritz Retsch's "Game of Life," currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Its stark lines create a world heavy with allegory. Editor: Indeed, a pensive mood washes over me. The contrasting figures locked in contemplation before the chessboard hint at deep struggles. Are we witnessing a battle for the very soul? Curator: Annin’s work, particularly through the lens of Retsch, suggests a critical commentary on societal structures. Here, the chessboard serves as a stage where power, mortality, and innocence collide. Editor: I note the angel overseeing the game, a potential symbol of divine intervention, or perhaps just silent witness to the unfolding human drama. It brings the politics of moral imagery to mind. Curator: Absolutely, and consider the social context. Engravings like this democratized access to art. What statements were being made about the viewers' roles in their own "games of life"? Editor: It makes one consider art’s role in shaping public perception of morality and the individual's place within society. Curator: It urges us to examine the forces shaping our narratives. Editor: It serves as a grim reminder of the stakes.