Artwork
Le thesauriseur et la singe (The Miser and the Monkey)
Le thesauriseur et la singe (The Miser and the Monkey) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Pierre Francois Martenasie. It dates from 1759 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Pierre‑François Martenasie’s hand‑coloured etching Le thésauriseur et la singe, dated 1759, presents a compact scene in which a man in a yellow robe and purple cloak kneels before a stone façade. He reaches toward a monkey perched on a ledge, which clutches a coin. The background includes a water surface and a cloudy sky, framing the encounter with subdued tones.
Subject & Meaning
The composition juxtaposes human avarice with animal cunning: the kneeling figure appears intent on reclaiming the coin the monkey holds, suggesting a struggle over wealth. The tension between the two characters, set within an architectural niche, invites reflection on the futility of hoarding and the unpredictable nature of fortune.
Technique & Style
Executed as an etched plate subsequently hand‑coloured, the work relies on fine line work to delineate the figures and architectural details. Muted pigments accentuate the contrast between the man’s bright garments and the more subdued environment, while the delicate shading conveys a quiet drama reminiscent of later Romantic interests in emotion and nature.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑eighteenth century, the print reflects Martenasie’s engagement with genre scenes that comment on social behaviour. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the piece has been documented in several European print collections, indicating its circulation among connoisseurs of narrative etchings during the period.
Artist & collection
