Vijf apen in een boom 1878 - 1888

Heinrich Krabbé made this etching of five monkeys in a tree, but the date is unknown. Though Krabbé's most productive years occurred in the early 20th century, his work is stylistically rooted in 19th-century Dutch realism. The composition and naturalistic rendering invite us to understand the social dynamics within the group of monkeys. The monkeys are depicted in the act of grooming each other, suggesting themes of community and mutual dependence. But does this image suggest a particular view of human society as well? To explore these themes, we might consider Krabbé's biography in relation to the institutional context for his work. The Rijksmuseum holds a collection of his drawings, etchings, and paintings that span a variety of subjects and styles. By considering these works as a whole, along with other works depicting animals and human behavior, we can better understand Krabbé's place in the social and artistic world of his time.