Physical Qualities
Engraving, Sheet: 241 x 167 mm. (9 1/2 x 6 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Garrett Collection
Object Number
1946.112.11464
In this engraving, Louis Desplaces illustrates a lost painting by Watteau. The painting is in the tradition of 'singerie,' in which monkeys take part in human activities. The monkey sits despondent in front of his easel, palette and brushes in hand but not painting. The verse inscribed on the print disparages the lot of an artist who for the fame of the brush is forced to paint vanity portraits of ugly women to survive ('guenon' is a double-entendre for monkey and ugly woman). It also states that in order for the artist to paint monkeys, he must be as skilled as a monkey.
T. Harrison Garrett, Baltimore, purchased 1885 (Lugt supp. 2435b); James L. Claghorn, Philadelphia (lugt supp. 555c).
The Baltimore Museum of Art, In the Artist's Studio: Works on Paper from the Collection, Sept 15, 2005 - Feb 27, 2005.
Signed: One
Inscribed: RECTO: in matrix: LL :"Watteau pinxit."; LR: "Desplaces sculp."; LWRC: "LA PEINTURE/Telle doit au Pinceau ce qu'elle a de renom./ Qui fait horreur a voir sans fard, e sous le linge:/ Et pour peindre a son gre mainte laide Guenon,/ Il faut etre adroit comme un Singe./ AParis chez Duchange Graveur duRoy rue St. Jacques"; VERSO: LL: [Claghorn collector stamp]; BLC (graphite in diamond): "5505"
