Who painted A Seated Monkey?

A Seated Monkey was painted by Jan Weenix in 1690.

Where can I see A Seated Monkey?

A Seated Monkey is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is A Seated Monkey?

A Seated Monkey is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of A Seated Monkey?

Museum-quality prints of A Seated Monkey are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

A Seated Monkey

Jan Weenix , 1690

A Seated Monkey is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Weenix. It dates from 1690 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

A Seated Monkey is an oil painting created by Dutch artist Jan Weenix in 1690, featuring a monkey in a seated pose on a ledge, set against a dark, plain background.

Subject & Meaning

The painting's central subject is a monkey, depicted in a naturalistic manner, with detailed attention to its fur texture and interaction with light. The monkey's posture and actions (holding an unspecified small object) suggest a contemplative or observational tone, though the overall meaning or symbolism or the held object is not explicitly defined.

Technique & Style

Weenix employed oil paint to achieve a highly realistic effect, emphasizing the play of light on the monkey's face and the tactile quality of its fur. The use of chiaroscuro, with strong contrasts between light and dark, enhances the sense of volume and realism.

History & Provenance

Created during the Dutch Golden Age, A Seated Monkey is somewhat atypical of Weenix's usual themes of dead game and hunting scenes. The work is now part of the Rijksmuseum's collection in the Netherlands.

Context

While Weenix was primarily known for his hunting and game pieces, A Seated Monkey reflects the broader artistic explorations of the Dutch Golden Age, where detailed realism and the use of light were hallmark techniques.