monkey

Christophe Huet (1700-1759), French artist of the Rococo period, illustrated this rare first edition depicting examples of “singerie.” Singerie, derived from the French word “monkey trick," a visual genre which features fashionably attired monkeys humorously imitating human behavior became a popular and amusing diversion for the upper classes in 18th century France. Singerie were depicted in paintings by such artists as Jean-Antoine Watteau as well as motifs in marquetry, textiles, and porcelain.

Queensland Art Gallery curators Ted Gott and Kathryn Weir created an exhibit featuring monsters and beasts as depicted in art and entertainment history. The exhibit and accompanying book, Kiss of the Beast: From Paris Salon to King Kong highlights the many ways beasts feature prominently in imaginations of artists and filmmakers. The animal now known as the gorilla came to the attention of modern Europeans in 1847. From that time, gorillas and similar beasts have been popular subjects in sculptures, paintings, books, and movies.