Artwork
Apen in een kooi, genaamd 'Heimwee'
Apen in een kooi, genaamd 'Heimwee' is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Gerrit Jacobus van Soeren. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Gerrit Jacobus van Soeren’s 1892 oil painting, titled Apen in een kooi, genaamd ‘Heimwee’, depicts a quiet interior scene within a cage. The composition centers on a solitary monkey seated on a stone‑tiled floor, clutching a piece of cloth, while two additional monkeys appear faintly in the background. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents a domestic‑like setting for the primates, emphasizing their confinement and subdued activity. The muted lighting and the solitary figure suggest themes of longing or nostalgia, hinted at by the title ‘Heimwee’, a Dutch term for homesickness, inviting contemplation of the animal’s inner state within its enclosure.
Technique & Style
Van Soeren employs a palette of subdued earth tones, rendered with thick, impasto brushstrokes that give texture to the monkey’s fur and the rough stone tiles. The limited light source creates a narrow illuminated patch on the wall, enhancing the stillness of the scene and drawing focus to the central figure.
History & Provenance
Created in 1892, Apen in een kooi, genaamd ‘Heimwee’ entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it remains on display. The work reflects the artist’s interest in genre scenes and animal subjects during the late‑19th century, a period when such domestic portrayals were common in Dutch painting.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Gerrit Jacobus van Soeren (1859–1888) was an artist, born in Amsterdam.
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