Beeldhouwende aap 1692 - 1734

Editor: So, this is "Beeldhouwende aap," or Sculpting Ape, a print made between 1692 and 1734 by Louis Desplaces. It depicts an ape, dressed as a human, carving a bust. I’m struck by the way it portrays labor… I mean, look at this little guy going to work. How would you interpret its commentary on the artistic process? Curator: What strikes me is how this piece interrogates the very *material* of artmaking. Here we see an ape, signifying base, primal urges, seemingly mimicking human artistic labor. But what *is* labor in the context of art? The engraving process itself—the meticulous transfer of image to plate—emphasizes production, challenging the traditional "genius" of the sculptor, don’t you think? Editor: I see what you mean! It’s almost suggesting that art creation is not some divine act, but a constructed process that can be copied, or even, mocked. Is it commenting on who gets to be considered an "artist" and why? Curator: Precisely! The material reality of producing both the print and the sculpture is on display. Think about the social context. Was Desplaces critiquing the Guild system, where artistic skill was meticulously trained and controlled? By equating artmaking with apelike imitation, is he leveling accusations of mindless reproduction against established practices? Editor: So it’s less about the image *of* the ape sculpting, and more about what the print, as a reproducible object, *does*? Curator: Exactly. We should examine how materials, processes, and the socio-economic realities shaped the image’s creation and its reception. Think about it - who could afford this print and how would they view themselves compared to the "aping" artist? Editor: I never considered the social implications of artmaking that way. Thank you. Curator: And thank you for helping me see the process with new eyes.