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

Curator: This drawing, titled "Tibet, from 'Court Game of Geography'," made sometime between 1838 and 1855 by William and Henry Rock, presents an intriguing view of cartography. Look at the shapes and the lines on the paper; it is deceptively simple, isn't it? Editor: It is, the print feels almost like a game board. What I’m drawn to is the combination of the factual, geographical details and those diamond shapes which gives it a playful quality. How should we interpret this combination? Curator: Exactly! Think about how geography and colonialism were intertwined. Maps were not just neutral tools; they were instruments of power, used to claim and define territories. Do you notice how the details diminish moving out from Tibet itself? Editor: Yes, the closer to Tibet the finer the place names and details. So the "game" perhaps served to familiarize the British with regions they sought to control, subtly reinforcing a sense of ownership and authority. But were the diamond shapes an aesthetic addition or a tool in the "game" itself? Curator: That’s an excellent question. How might those shapes have directed the game? What does it tell you that even within this structure, "Tibet" is prominently positioned, seemingly awaiting exploitation? Editor: That makes me think about the representation of Tibet itself, as being presented as a resource ready to be claimed. The more I look, the more I question the intention behind portraying it this way. It's a little disturbing. Curator: Precisely! By critically examining the "Court Game of Geography," we are not simply viewing a historical artifact. Instead, we uncover the hidden ideological frameworks. I'm so glad you challenged the "playful" notion of it. Editor: It’s fascinating to consider the power dynamics embedded in something as seemingly innocuous as a game! Thanks, this was a truly eye-opening experience.