Artwork
The Monkey Sculptor
The Monkey Sculptor is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist David Teniers the Younger. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
David Teniers the Younger produced The Monkey Sculptor in 1660. Executed in copper, the work presents a lively genre scene that now belongs to the collection of the Museo del Prado.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a cluttered workshop where a half‑clothed man holds a chisel, while a monkey wearing a hat mirrors his movements, also attempting to carve. Around them lie scattered tools, broken fragments, and assorted busts and statues, including a reclining nude. Two older onlookers—one bent over a basket, the other peering through spectacles—observe the absurd tableau.
Technique & Style
Teniers employs the fine detail possible on copper to render the varied textures of metal, wood, and fabric. The palette is muted, emphasizing the chiaroscuro that models the figures and highlights the monkey’s tiny, comical grip on the chisel. The scene reflects the artist’s characteristic blend of realism and humor within a domestic interior.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑17th century, The Monkey Sculptor entered the Prado’s holdings through the museum’s acquisition of works by Teniers. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s workshop and subsequent collections, where it was valued for its witty depiction of studio life.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
David Teniers the Younger or David Teniers II was a Flemish Baroque painter, printmaker, and artist.
