Post- of Reizigers-spel, ca. 1825 1825

This is 'Post- of Reizigers-spel', a game board made around 1825 by an anonymous artist. The visual field is structured by a grid of numbered cells, each containing a small illustration. The composition reveals a fascinating interplay between order and play, with geometric forms—circles and octagons—enclosing vignettes of travel and leisure. These scenes, rendered in delicate lines and soft washes, evoke a sense of romantic journeying. The central image of a horse-drawn carriage, meticulously detailed, dominates the board, acting as a focal point around which the game unfolds. The layout suggests a semiotic system, where each image functions as a sign within the larger narrative of the game. These signs, while appearing whimsical, may also reflect the social values and pastimes of the time. The numerical sequence imposed on the imagery creates a framework that challenges our perception of causality. The game, therefore, serves not only as a recreational object but also as a cultural artifact, inviting us to decode the underlying structures of its design.