Christopher Tombs Ltd

Description

We are offering to you this Beautiful Painting of a Monkey in a Still Life Setting. Below is my early stage research into this Rare Painting by George Lance. This is a charming, antique oil painting set within a highly ornate, gilded wooden frame. The frame is carved in a Baroque or Rococo style with dense clusters of oak leaves and acorns, showing its age through visible craquelure (fine cracks), flaking gilt, and a warm, aged patina. The painting itself is a small-scale, realistic still life with an animal subject often called a “singerie” in art history (a playful scene featuring monkeys). It depicts a lively little monkey with rich brown fur, a cream-colored chest and face, and expressive dark eyes. The monkey is perched on a stone ledge or table, leaning eagerly forward with its right paw outstretched, fingertips just about to grasp a single bright red fruit (looks like a cherry or small apple). In the foreground, a woven wicker basket brims with more glossy red fruits, placed atop a rumpled red and white striped cloth that drapes casually over the edge of the ledge. To the upper right, a heavy cluster of purple grapes hangs from a vine, adding rich color and texture. The background is moody and atmospheric: deep shadows, a dark stone archway or grotto-like structure on the left, and lush, overgrown foliage that gives the scene a slightly mysterious, garden-or-market feel. Dramatic chiaroscuro lighting highlights the monkey and the fruit against the dark backdrop, creating a sense of depth and focus. The overall palette is warm and earthy rich browns, deep reds, purples, and golden highlights with a slightly aged, varnish darkened tone typical of 17th- or 18th-century European works. It has that delightful, whimsical quality: the monkey looks cheeky and almost human in its greedy little reach for the treat. The monkey depicted in this painting is a Capuchin monkey (genus Cebus or Sapajus, depending on the exact classification). You can tell from several clear visual clues: Rich chestnut-brown fur on the back, head, and limbs Creamy-white chest, belly, and face (a hallmark of many capuchin species) Small, agile build with long arms and dexterous hands Expressive dark eyes and relatively short snout Capuchins are New World monkeys native to the forests of Central and South America. They were hugely popular in 17th and 18th century Europe as exotic pets, street performers, and “organ grinder” monkeys which is exactly why they show up so often in playful singerie (monkey-themed) paintings like this one. Their clever, almost human-like behavior made them perfect subjects for artists who wanted to add humor and mischief to still-life scenes. The artist has captured that classic Capuchin look perfectly the cheeky reach for the fruit, the focused expression, the way the white chest contrasts with the darker fur. A lovely, character-filled piece. Dimensions are - Sight size 23.5cm by 17.5cm, frame size 37cm tall by 30cm wide and 5.5cm deep It is offered in unrestored condition. Delivery within the Uk is included in the asking price. shipping is also a pleasure so please contact us for a Quote. We welcome all inquiries on this Great addition to any collection. Thanks for Looking Chris.