A Seated Monkey on a Chain, Hendrick Goltzius, 1592 - 1602
black, ochre, and red chalks, h 406mm × w 300mm More details
With masterly strokes and hatching, Hendrick Goltzius drew this Asian rhesus monkey, recognizable by its pinkish face, framed by fur. He devoted a great deal of attention to the faithful rendering of the fur, cleverly using the white of the paper to create subtle contrasts of light and dark. A fettered monkey had a special meaning, alluding to sinful man who is shackled to the earth through his lust for wealth.
