Het nieuw en vermaakelyke gansen spel 1780

Hermanus Numan etched this game board, "The New and Amusing Goose Game," probably near the turn of the 19th century. In this ludic microcosm, the goose is the dominant symbol, recurring in various guises around the board. The goose, often associated with foolishness, but also cunning and domesticity, has journeyed through time, appearing in ancient Egyptian art, linked to the solar deity Ra. This connection imbues the goose with connotations of vigilance, protection, and the cyclical nature of life itself. Here, the geese scattered around the game's path could be seen as manifestations of Fortuna, the Roman goddess of chance, guiding—or perhaps misleading—players through their journey. It's a whimsical reminder of life's unpredictable course, where fortune and folly intertwine. The game becomes a symbolic stage, where players navigate the complexities of existence, driven by primal urges and desires, echoing through the corridors of time.