Artwork
Tabakskollegium with monkeys
Tabakskollegium with monkeys is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Abraham Teniers. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Tabakskollegium with monkeys, a copper painting by Abraham Teniers, dates to circa 1650. It exemplifies Flemish Baroque style, depicting a social gathering, a recurrent theme in Teniers' work.
Subject & Meaning
The scene unfolds in a room where monkeys mimic human behavior, engaging in various activities amidst human objects like pipes, cards, and furniture. This portrayal highlights the humorous and satirical undertones characteristic of Teniers' genre scenes.
Technique & Style
Executed on copper, the painting showcases Flemish Baroque techniques, emphasizing detailed rendering and the use of light, as evident in the illuminated interior with a central candle, green tablecloth, and adorned walls.
History & Provenance
Created by Abraham Teniers, a member of the renowned Teniers artist family, the work is now part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum's collection.
Context
Reflecting Teniers' fascination with village life and inns, this piece combines his typical themes with the novelty of anthropomorphic monkeys, a signature element in some of his humorous works.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Abraham Teniers (1 March 1629 – 26 September 1670) was a Flemish painter and engraver who specialized in genre paintings of villages, inns and monkey scenes.
