The Monkeys of Mars c. 18th century

Curator: Jean Moyreau's "The Monkeys of Mars" presents a fascinating image. It's an engraving on laid paper, part of the Harvard Art Museums' collection. Editor: My first thought? It's whimsical, yet also unsettling. Monkeys dressed in military garb playing out scenes of war feels like a pointed commentary. Curator: Absolutely. These singerie, or "monkeyeries," were popular in the 18th century, a way to satirize human folly through animal stand-ins. Moyreau created this engraving after a painting by Watteau. Editor: The composition is so elaborate, with a central figure on a cannon, and monkeys enacting various roles within this militaristic setting. It makes me wonder about the public's perception of power and authority at the time. Curator: Indeed. These images offered a safe space to critique societal structures, using humor to address potentially sensitive topics related to class and political power. Editor: And seeing it today, that satire still resonates. The choice of monkeys is so effective in highlighting the absurdity of conflict and human behavior. I wonder what this says about the role of art in societal critique. Curator: It reminds us that art often functions as a mirror, reflecting our own behaviors and beliefs back at us, prompting reflection and, hopefully, change. Editor: It really does, doesn't it? "The Monkeys of Mars" still manages to provoke and challenge our perspectives on conflict and human nature even after all this time.