Plate 29: Two Monkeys, an "Arctopithecus"(Sloth?) and Fruit
1575
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1575
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This round picture shows four monkeys in a small, busy scene. Three are brown and sitting or standing near a patch of grass and a tree. One monkey is clinging to a branch above them. There’s also a giant gourd with a butterfly inside, and another gourd cut open on the ground. The background has a mix of blue water, a rocky shore, and a few plants. The artist used gold paint to highlight details like the monkeys’ fur and the gourd’s texture. The writing at the top is in Latin, which means “Monkeys are beautiful and ugly.” The whole scene feels like a mix of nature and a little humor. Next, look up watercolor, glazing to see how artists build up colors like this.
