Kees van Oeveren c. 1760s

This engraving by Jan Stolker presents Kees van Oeveren, framed by symbols of folly and wisdom. Monkeys, traditionally associated with imitation and foolishness, flank the portrait, while an owl, a symbol of knowledge since ancient Greece, perches solemnly on the left. The juxtaposition speaks volumes. The presence of a jester hints at the theatricality of life, the masks we wear, and the roles we play. It's a motif that echoes through commedia dell'arte and Shakespearean drama, resurfacing time and again. Consider the monkey sipping from a bowl—a crude parody of learnedness—and compare it with the medieval "Singerie" tapestries. These images, where monkeys mimic human activities, aren't merely humorous; they're a biting commentary on human vanity. Such symbols tap into our collective subconscious, revealing anxieties about intellect, authenticity, and the animalistic urges that lie beneath the surface of civilized behavior. Here we witness how symbols persist, adapt, and continue to provoke reflection across centuries.