Apen in een herberg 1720 - 1767

Leonard Schenk created this print, "Apen in een herberg," which translates to "Monkeys in a Tavern," sometime between the late 17th and mid-18th century. During this period, the Dutch Republic was a major center for trade and colonialism. Prints like this one reflect the complex ways in which the Dutch understood themselves in relation to others. The image depicts monkeys engaging in human activities within a tavern setting. One striking element is the racialized depiction of one of the monkeys, with exaggerated dark features, while others appear more "European." In this period, the Dutch associated particular characteristics with different groups, often reinforcing social hierarchies and stereotypes. This scene serves as social commentary, poking fun at human folly through the guise of animal behavior. "This is just a symbol, don't be surprised: On world's stage men play the real game of monkeys," as the print suggests. The monkeys’ antics can be viewed as a mirror reflecting back the viewer’s own world, inviting one to consider what is truly civilized and what is merely performed.