Scene 1, from Jack and the Giant Killer, Scenes for a Toy Theater
1870–90
Medium
Lithograph
Dimensions
Sheet: 6 11/16 × 8 7/16 in. (17 × 21.4 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1952
Accession Number
52.541.1(9)
Tags
Art Historical Context
This vibrant lithograph by Benjamin Pollock captures Scene 1 from the beloved tale of Jack and the Giant Killer, designed as part of a 19th-century toy theater. Created between 1870 and 1890, the print was intended for children and families to cut out, assemble, and stage their own miniature performances at home. Measuring just over 6 by 8 inches, it depicts a lively street scene featuring gates and architectural details that would have served as the dramatic backdrop for Jack’s heroic adventures. Toy theaters enjoyed immense popularity during the Victorian era, offering an affordable form of...