Elephant and Monkey c. 1888

Henri-Charles Guérard created this etching titled 'Elephant and Monkey', now held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, in the late 19th century. The print depicts an elephant reaching its trunk towards a monkey playing with a ball. The scale difference accentuates the power dynamic between the two animals. Guérard was working in France during a period when the country was consolidating its colonial empire, with new territories acquired in Africa and Asia. Animals from these regions became popular motifs in art, often symbolizing the exoticism and otherness of the colonized lands. Zoos and menageries became public attractions in Paris, showcasing animals from around the world, and reinforcing a sense of French dominance. Examining the critical and curatorial reception of Guérard's work, along with other art from this period, can provide insights into how cultural institutions have shaped public perceptions of colonialism. The image raises important questions about the politics of representation and the social conditions that shape artistic production.