Apen 1892 - 1929

Curator: Ah, here we are. This engaging pencil drawing on paper is entitled "Apen," or "Monkeys," created sometime between 1892 and 1929 by Cornelis Jan Mension. Editor: The energy is just delightful. A proper simian social gathering, and the way the artist captures the nuances of their gestures and expressions... it feels wonderfully voyeuristic, almost as if you stumbled upon something private. Curator: Well, monkeys as a subject have a rich, sometimes fraught, history in art. In the 17th century, you see them a lot as symbols of the baser human instincts. They also stood in for enslaved peoples. I’m curious how that plays out in Mension's context. Editor: Interesting point, though my first instinct is that this depiction feels affectionate, perhaps even whimsical, and devoid of malice or cruel symbolism. Do you see indications it references slavery? Curator: The artist's intentions remain elusive, but the period coincided with heightened colonial activities in Indonesia by the Dutch. Remember, monkeys had become emblematic of colonized "others" in the global imaginary. The Rijksmuseum could house a number of sources for colonialist interpretations. The grouping, their seeming passivity. Editor: Mmm, maybe. It is true those slumped poses could signify subjugation. However, look at the interplay of light and shadow! So many shades. Is Mension trying to illuminate the humanity in those dark patches? And that focal one appears to be playing with a stick! Curator: That specific use of chiaroscuro invites consideration to its role in shaping European ideas about race at the time. It also served as an artistic device for articulating power dynamics and social hierarchies in colonial portraiture, shaping the othering effect. Editor: Well, I still find it fascinating how Mension used simple tools – pencil and paper – to create such complexity. A quiet reflection of the complexities you bring up, if nothing else. Curator: Absolutely. It prompts important discussions about our engagement with images and history. I am very glad we reflected on "Apen" today. Editor: Indeed! It's a fascinating glimpse into primates... or maybe into ourselves.