Cat and Monkey 1814 - 1816

Gottfried Engelmann’s lithograph, *Cat and Monkey,* presents a curious juxtaposition of animals rendered with meticulous detail. Lithography was only just emerging in Europe during the early 19th century when this print was made, and Engelmann’s studio in France played a pivotal role in establishing it as a commercially viable medium. The choice of a cat and monkey, however, transcends mere technical display. In the 19th century, the burgeoning fields of natural history and comparative anatomy fueled intense debates about humanity’s place in the animal kingdom. Images of animals were not neutral; they were often used to reinforce social hierarchies. Monkeys, in particular, were frequently used as a means to caricature and denigrate marginalized groups. What, then, does it mean to pair a monkey with a domesticated cat? The cat seems to be presented as the dominant animal in the scene, and the monkey is positioned above, submissive and subservient. We can only speculate on the artist's intent, but it is clear that the image engages with broader social anxieties about race, class, and the perceived natural order. Through further study of the period’s scientific literature and popular imagery, we can better understand this artwork's complex cultural resonances.