Kooi met apen 1834 - 1890

Charles Verlat made this etching, ‘Cage with Monkeys,’ using metal, acid, and ink. It’s a great example of how an artist's choice of process can deeply influence the meaning of their work. Verlat likely coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then drew his composition through the coating, exposing the metal. Immersing the plate in acid would have bitten away the exposed lines, creating grooves. The depth and darkness of the lines would have been controlled by the amount of time the plate spent in the acid bath. This laborious, indirect process is perfect for depicting the monkeys' confinement. Consider the social implications of the image, and the labor required to produce the print. The sharp, precise lines create a sense of restriction and the rough textures of the metal plate emphasize the crude reality of their enclosure. The printmaking process, with its inherent limitations and controlled steps, mirrors the constrained existence of the monkeys. Verlat's choice of etching enhances the artwork's emotional impact and social commentary.