Monkey and Chestnuts c. 19th century

Henri-Charles Guérard's "Monkey and Chestnuts," an etching from the 19th century, depicts a monkey in profile, reaching for a chestnut on the ground. The artist uses detailed linework to create a realistic rendering of the animal, contrasting its fur with the smooth surface of the nuts. The scene is composed in a horizontal format, drawing the viewer's eye across the composition from the monkey's forward motion. The piece's title and subject matter highlight Guérard's interest in animal studies, a common theme in 19th-century art.