Seated Monkey c. 16th century

Editor: This is Antonio Tempesta's "Seated Monkey." It's an etching, and the detail is incredible, yet there's something unsettling about it. What historical context informs how we should view this image? Curator: Well, monkeys in art, especially during Tempesta's time, often served as symbols. Were they symbols of wealth, curiosity, or something darker, like the base instincts humans were trying to rise above? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. So, it’s less about just depicting an animal and more about what the monkey represents in the public consciousness of the time? Curator: Precisely. How are animals employed to promote ideas or reinforce specific socio-political norms? What do you think Tempesta aimed to convey? Editor: I'll definitely be looking at monkeys—and other animals in art—differently from now on. Curator: Me too! There's always something new to discover when we consider the cultural lens.