Louis de Moni (Breda 1698-1771 Leiden)

Jeu de l'oie, the board game played by the youth and young woman in the foreground of this charming genre scene, is believed by some to have originated in Florence in the 16th century, although the precise origins are uncertain. Also known as Gansespel or Game of Goose, this game of strategy is played on a board with a spiral track which is usually divided into 63 spaces. Players roll dice to advance their tokens and aim to land on bonus spaces that are identified by an illustration of a goose. Landing on spaces marked with other symbols might penalize the players. Louis de Moni painted a young couple playing this game on at least one other occasion: a painting sold at Christie's, London, 23 March 1990, lot 53 may represent the same youth as in the present picture, as his features are nearly identical and he also wears a brown coat and cap.