'Red cap' 1857

George Lance painted 'Red Cap' using oil on mahogany panel, yet the date is unknown. Lance was celebrated as a specialist in still life, a genre which, during the 19th century, was often seen as marginal. With its cornucopia of edibles, the painting evokes the opulence of Dutch Golden Age still life. Yet, the introduction of live animals introduces an unsettling, and frankly, odd element. What does it mean to place the monkey in the position of a human connoisseur of fine food? Is this intended as a commentary on human appetite? What does it mean to see the monkey adorned in a red cap, an article of clothing historically associated with liberty? 'Red Cap' sits at the intersection of social commentary and the aesthetic conventions of still life. Lance’s work invites us to reflect on themes of desire, freedom, and the complex relationship between humans and the natural world.