Reizende organist 1733 - 1792

This print, "Reizende organist" by Jean Baptiste Guélard, presents a whimsical scene of monkeys engaged in human activities, a popular motif in satirical art. The central figure is a monkey playing an organ, carried by another monkey, while a third operates a bellows, a spectacle ripe with symbolism. Monkeys in art, often associated with imitation and folly, serve as vehicles for social commentary, mocking human behaviors and institutions. The organ itself, a symbol of harmony and divine worship, here becomes an instrument of burlesque, suggesting a critique of religious practices or the pretentiousness of artistic endeavors. The motif of animals acting as humans has roots extending back to ancient fables. Consider Aesop’s tales, where animals embody human virtues and vices, a tradition that resurfaces throughout the medieval period and continues to evolve. In this print, the monkey’s performance can be seen as a reflection of our own societal performances, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The cyclical progression of this symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.