The Game of War (Allegory on the Nordic War), Crispijn de Passe II (1594–1670), engraving, 1656 1656

"The Game of War (Allegory on the Nordic War)" is an engraving created in 1656 by an anonymous artist, showcasing a satirical allegory on the Nordic War. The artwork features a group of men gambling, using pigs as their stakes. The inscription "Alea Bely" alludes to the game's connection to war, where nations gambled their futures. Surrounding the scene, a landscape with Dutch cityscapes symbolizes the players, suggesting that the war was an act of folly, akin to a childish game. This satirical engraving, housed in the Rijksmuseum, offers a visual commentary on the absurdity of war and the dangerous consequences of blind ambition.