Netherlands, from "Court Game of Geography"
1838–55
Medium
Engraving and hand coloring (watercolor)
Dimensions
3 3/4 × 2 1/2 in. (9.5 × 6.4 cm)
Classification
Prints|Ornament & Architecture
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of the Estate of James Hazen Hyde, 1959
Accession Number
59.654.16(2)
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming engraving, titled *Netherlands*, forms part of the “Court Game of Geography,” a Victorian-era educational pastime created by brothers William and Henry Rock between 1838 and 1855. Measuring just 3¾ by 2½ inches, the card was designed to fit comfortably in the hand, allowing to learn European geography through games of matching and memory. Its engraving is enlivened by transparent watercolor washes that highlight coastlines, rivers, and principal cities, transforming a functional map into an appealing miniature artwork. In the nineteenth century, such geography games reflected a ...
About the Artist
William and Henry Rock · 1821–1884
William and Henry Rock were British brothers and publishers active in London during the mid-19th century, renowned for their innovative educational playing card games that blended art, geography, and entertainment. Operating from 11 Walbrook after 1838, they produced hand-colored engravings that transformed standard card decks into pedagogical tools, with suits representing the four quarters of th...