Artwork

The Mecoo & Kisbee Kishee Monkeys

The Mecoo & Kisbee Kishee Monkeys, by William Blake, ink, 1793
The Mecoo & Kisbee Kishee Monkeys, by William Blake, ink, 1793

The Mecoo & Kisbee Kishee Monkeys is an ink print by the Romanticist artist William Blake. It dates from 1793 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Mecoo & Kisbee Kishee Monkeys is an engraving created by William Blake in 1793. It exemplifies the artist's work as a printmaker, one aspect of his multifaceted career.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving depicts a group of monkeys in a bare tree, with one leaping through the air. The scene is set against a backdrop of water and mountains, suggesting a symbolic or imaginative context rather than a straightforward representation.

Technique & Style

The print showcases Blake's skill with engraving techniques, particularly cross-hatching, which creates a detailed, textured appearance and conveys depth and shading.

Context

This work is associated with the Romantic movement, a cultural and artistic trend that emphasized imagination and symbolic expression, both of which are characteristic of Blake's oeuvre.

Artist & collection

Portrait of William Blake

Artist

William Blake

William Blake (28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827) was an English poet, painter and printmaker.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.