Apen in de hedendaagse mode van rokken met baleinen, 1716 1716

In 1716, Matthijs Pool created this engraving titled "Apen in de hedendaagse mode van rokken met baleinen," or "Monkeys in the contemporary fashion of skirts with whalebone." The print satirizes the aristocracy in the Netherlands during the early 18th century. Here, Pool deftly uses the figure of the monkey to mock the excesses and vanities of the upper class. The scene buzzes with the chaos of a noble gathering. Monkeys dressed in elaborate gowns and suits mimic human behaviors; they play music, flirt, and posture affectedly. This representation cleverly critiques the superficiality and moral corruption that was often associated with the wealthy elite. Such satirical works provided a means of social commentary, reflecting the growing discontent with the social hierarchy of the time. The emotional undercurrent is one of mockery mixed with a sharp observation of human folly, inviting us to reflect on the behaviors we see mirrored in these simian figures.