Asia, from "Court Game of Geography" 1838 - 1855

This is a lithograph of Asia from "Court Game of Geography", made by William and Henry Rock in the mid-19th century. Here, the shapes of continents and oceans are rendered in a style that is both geographically informative and visually appealing. Note how the composition centers on the landmass of Asia, framed by the sinuous lines of its coast. The map is rendered with an emphasis on line and form; this allows one to trace routes of trade or empire. The use of text as a structural element is particularly interesting. Cities and regions are labeled in a way that integrates them into the overall design. Consider the semiotics of mapping itself. What does it mean to define territory through lines and names? How does this ordering of space reflect power dynamics and cultural perceptions? This map invites us to consider how we construct and understand our world through visual representations.