Leermeester en drie jongens bij een triktrakbord 1670 - 1713

This print was made by Pieter Schenk around the turn of the 18th century, using the technique of mezzotint. This was a popular process at the time, involving the careful burnishing of a roughened copper plate, allowing for the creation of rich tonal effects. Looking closely, you can see how the mezzotint process really suits the subject, producing velvety blacks that suggest affluence and luxury. The composition depicts an instructor teaching three young men how to play a game called 'triktrak', a version of backgammon. This was a popular pastime in aristocratic circles, and the print conveys this atmosphere of refined leisure. What I find most interesting is how the print, itself made through a laborious process of hand production, depicts a scene of wealthy young men enjoying their privilege. The image thus becomes part of a wider conversation about labor and class – a visual testament to a society structured around stark inequalities. It prompts us to consider the relationship between making, representation, and the social order of the time.