A Performer on a Stage with a Monkey 1755 - 1771

Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg's print depicts a performer with a monkey on stage, rendered with etching. Made in the late 18th century, the print offers insight into the era's social and cultural dynamics. The presence of the monkey and the performer hints at popular entertainment forms of the time, reflecting a society where spectacle and exoticism were widely consumed. The performer's exaggerated gestures and clothing may represent a caricature, which could be commenting on social roles or norms of the time. Loutherbourg, as an artist, was influenced by both the cultural landscape and the institutions of art. His work reflects the prevailing tastes of the era, with a fascination for the theatrical and the exotic. To truly understand this print, exploring historical sources about popular entertainment, social satire, and the role of artists within 18th-century society would be beneficial. Art exists within, and comments on, a web of social and institutional contexts.