De anticque schilder en beeldhouwer 1761 - 1804

Editor: We're looking at Hermanus Numan's print, "De anticque schilder en beeldhouwer," dating from between 1761 and 1804. It shows monkeys engaged in painting and sculpting. The style is… whimsical, almost satirical. What stands out to you, and how do you interpret this work? Curator: This piece sparks so many critical questions! Let’s consider the choice of monkeys. In the 18th century, images of monkeys performing human tasks were often used for social commentary, reflecting on human follies and class dynamics. They can act as vehicles to critique social structures by satirizing aristocratic behaviors and the pretenses of artistic creation. Why depict artists as monkeys? Editor: Is it suggesting art-making is… mindless imitation, perhaps? Curator: Potentially. Or that artistic ambition, devoid of skill or genuine insight, becomes farcical. Look closely at the poems accompanying each image— the word 'Mast' means 'penis', maybe we can explore the use of phallic imagery with relation to patriarchal control, if the poem text translates adequately? Where is the real creativity, the artist seems to be asking? Consider the societal expectations for artistic mastery, the male dominance in the profession at the time and how it could be undermined through this satirical image. Does this print become a form of early feminist art criticism? Editor: I see what you mean. So, the playful surface conceals deeper critiques of art, gender, and society itself. That adds layers of meaning I hadn’t considered. Curator: Exactly! It’s a reminder that art exists within a web of social, political, and historical power relations that it's essential to investigate. Editor: That makes me see it in a completely new light. I had focused on the humor, missing the potentially biting social commentary.