The Ringball Player (‘Het Klosbaantje’)

This is the only secular print of 1654, a year in which Rembrandt focused on a series of prints depicting scenes from the childhood and youth of Christ (NH 276-281). Perhaps he carried a plate of the same modest, horizontal format with him when he decided to etch this scene in a pub. The print shows an old Netherlandish game called klossen (now known as beugelen), which was played in klossenbaantjes (ringball alleys), that were frequently found at inns. The rules involved iron hoops and knocking your opponent’s ball into the gutter, like an indoor version of croquet. The figure in the foreground appears to be relaxing away from the drama of the game behind him, although the lack of refreshments on the table and his slightly despondent demeanour suggests he may be an early victim of the competition that continues without him.