Triktrak spel om Bergen, 1709 1623 - 1709

Pieter Nolpe created this print titled "Triktrak spel om Bergen" in 1709. The scene depicts a group of men intensely engaged in a game, likely backgammon, a popular pastime of the Dutch Golden Age. The print offers a glimpse into the social dynamics of the time. The players appear to be of high social standing, suggested by their attire and leisurely activity. But the verses beneath the image hint at deeper themes. The game becomes a metaphor for broader struggles of power, national identity, and economic interests with references to "Engels, Hollands, Brabands gelt." One is drawn to consider how the intensity of the game mirrors the political tensions of the era. It raises questions about the role of leisure and entertainment in reflecting and perhaps even shaping societal attitudes toward competition, wealth, and national pride. The emotional and personal dimensions of the players, their frustrations and desires, are laid bare. Nolpe invites us to see their reflection in ourselves.