Tien deelnemers van een spel 1700 - 1751

Pierre Dupin created this print, "Ten Participants in a Game," likely in the first half of the 18th century, capturing a moment of youthful exuberance. Observe the central figure, bent over, hands held behind, enduring the playful strikes of his companions. This motif of obscured vision and vulnerability echoes in depictions of martyrdom, where saints, blinded or bound, face their fate. The raised hand of the figure on the right reminds us of classical orators, a symbol of communication. However, here, it becomes part of a game, underscoring the contrast between formal rhetoric and the spontaneity of play. The act of striking, seemingly harmless in this context, carries echoes of more violent acts, reminding us of the psychological undercurrents of power and submission present in even the most innocent interactions. This scene of “hot hands” reveals how deeply ingrained these primal interactions are in the human experience, resurfacing in unexpected and often playful ways.