De rozen en doornen des Levens. Gezelschaps-spel 1820 - 1847

Curator: "De rozen en doornen des Levens. Gezelschaps-spel," a game board from between 1820 and 1847 by Joseph Zender, utilizing print and etching techniques. Look at how Zender presents this intricate grid, seemingly mapping out a complex narrative through a board game format. Editor: It definitely strikes me as ordered, but almost oppressively so. There is a density of textual and visual elements which crowd the grid. What catches your eye, given the overall complexity? Curator: Note how the design incorporates both text and image within each square. The game's narrative progression seems inextricably linked to decoding these textual cues. Semiotically, each square operates as a sign, contributing to the overall structural logic of the game. What principles might govern such visual choices? Editor: Do you mean the overall format of a grid with numbered elements? Curator: The numerical sequencing combined with illustrations presents an allegorical narrative. The grid becomes a formalized structure for exploring existential themes, juxtaposing "rozen" (roses) and "doornen" (thorns). I ask you to note how this interplay signifies the dualities within life itself. What happens when you see it from a broader cultural or historic background? Editor: Looking at the print, it becomes less chaotic, and more organized. Seeing the underlying structure brings out the subtle commentary about how society guides our path. Thanks, this was great! Curator: Indeed! Reflecting upon the structural elements allows a richer, multi-layered reading of the work.