Het uilenbord / Jeu de la chouette 1800 - 1833

"Het uilenbord / Jeu de la chouette" was made by Philippus Jacobus Brepols in the 18th century. It is held at the Rijksmuseum. This print, whose title translates as "The Owl Board," reveals a popular game from a time when entertainment was entwined with moral instruction. The board is a labyrinth of symbols and numbers surrounding a central owl, a traditional figure of wisdom and watchfulness. Consider how the game, ostensibly about chance, might have been used to impart lessons about fate, fortune, and the choices one makes in life. The Dutch and French texts framing the image point to a culture in conversation, a society navigating its identity through language and play. "Het uilenbord" thus becomes more than a game; it's a mirror reflecting the values, anxieties, and collective spirit of its time.