Two Monkeys Playing Backgammon c. 17th century

Curator: This is "Two Monkeys Playing Backgammon," a small etching by Coryn Boel, dating from the 17th century. Editor: My first impression is just how bizarre and unsettling it is. They are in such human-like poses and attire! Curator: Indeed, the monkey, a symbol rife with layered meanings! We have folly, mimicry, even base instinct presented as refined entertainment. It reflects a cultural fascination, or perhaps a satire, on human behavior. Editor: And consider the process, the delicate labor of etching, transforming base metal into this commentary. It speaks to the very means by which ideas circulate, transformed into objects for consumption. Curator: Absolutely. The artist uses the readily available material to create something profound. The symbols speak volumes about societal anxieties. Editor: Both the physical and symbolic labors, then, reveal deeper layers. It gives you pause to think.