Ganzenbord 1828 - 1913

Editor: Here we have "Ganzenbord," a print by Erve Wijsmuller dating from sometime between 1828 and 1913. It looks like an early board game, and it's created with engraving. It feels a bit folksy and homespun, doesn't it? What do you see in it? Curator: Oh, I love this! To me, it’s more than just a game board; it's a little universe contained on paper. Can you see how the spaces spiral inwards, taking you on a journey, a bit like life itself with all its twists and turns? Think about the era – this was pre-television, pre-internet. This game wasn’t just entertainment, it was storytelling, community, a whole world of imagination unfolded on a simple board. Editor: That's lovely! I hadn't thought about it like that. Curator: And the geese, of course! Why geese? Are they symbols of luck, prosperity, foolishness? Each goose potentially representing an obstacle or reward. The artist is cleverly layering symbolism with the very real, relatable world around them. Isn't that charming? Editor: Definitely charming! I was so focused on the layout of the board that I hadn’t even considered the geese might be symbolic. I guess every space could represent a moment in someone’s life! Curator: Exactly! It is not only a boardgame it is also life’s trajectory, which starts on the outside and gradually evolves closer to the centre of our very being. And that center is guarded, isn’t it? What can one make of it? Editor: It makes me think how playful art can be, even when it appears simple. I'll never look at a board game the same way. Curator: Me neither! Each viewing unlocks a whole host of questions.