Monkey Playing a Rumbling Pot, from the Top of a Balustrade or the Backrest of the Stadholder’s Chair in the Rolzaal in the Hof van Holland, The Hague 1511

This is Monkey Playing a Rumbling Pot, a wooden sculpture carved by Joost Janszoon for The Hague's Hof van Holland. In the historical context of Janszoon’s time, the image of a monkey held a complex duality. Often seen as symbols of foolishness or vice, monkeys also represented curiosity and imitation, traits sometimes attributed to colonized peoples. The monkey's placement atop a balustrade in a space of governance introduces a subversive element, questioning authority through satire. Consider the emotional impact of this peculiar figure. Is it a lighthearted jest, or does it evoke deeper contemplation about power, perception, and the "other?" The monkey, caught in its act, invites reflection on the human condition and society's structures, and its relevance to our modern dialogues. It's a provocative piece, one that encourages us to question traditional roles, both in art and in life.