Monkeys as Judges of Art 1889

Gabriel von Max painted "Monkeys as Judges of Art" using oil paint on canvas; a material most associated with established art, that artists have used for centuries. Von Max has captured a group of monkeys seemingly appraising a work of art. The smooth texture of the canvas allows for blending and detailing, which brings a realism to the monkey's expressions. The labor is evident in the minute brushstrokes and glazing techniques, which together bring depth to the scene and texture to the monkey's fur. The choice of oil paint is significant; it elevates the subject matter, giving the monkeys and their critique a weight typically reserved for human subjects. In bringing together animal behavior, artistic evaluation, and social commentary, von Max blurs the lines between human intellect and animal instinct. Are the standards and conventions of art any more sensible than the random choices of monkeys? Ultimately, this painting uses the very stuff of "fine art" to question its conventions. It urges us to consider who gets to decide what constitutes 'good' art.