An Allegory Of Air 1722

Jean-Baptiste Oudry created this intriguing oil painting on canvas, known as An Allegory of Air. The still life incorporates objects from elite society and classical sculpture. But consider the presence of the monkey playing the violin! Oudry worked in the tradition of "singeries," paintings of monkeys doing human things. This motif allowed artists to playfully mock human folly, vanity, and indulgence. The work can be seen as a commentary on the state of the arts, on labor, and the consumption of luxury goods. The skilled craftsmanship required to create the musical instruments, the bust, and even the painting itself is juxtaposed with the monkey's clumsy attempt to play music. Oudry, as a craftsperson himself, would have been aware of the great skill involved in the creation of art. The painting serves as a reminder that the materials, the making, and the social context are all critical to understanding the full meaning of an artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.