A Monumental Portrait of a Monkey
c. 1705–1710
Medium
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
Outermost border: 48.5 × 58.7 cm (19 × 23 in.); Image: 45 × 56 cm (17 3/4 × 22 in.)
Classification
asian art
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
210511
Art Historical Context
Behold *A Monumental Portrait of Monkey*, a striking anonymous work from around 1705–1710, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department Measuring an impressive 45 × cm for the image alone—framed by an outermost border of 48.5 × 58.7 cm—this opaque watercolor and gold on paper stands out for its grand scale, rare for such intimate painting traditions. Created in the early 18th century, likely within the vibrant courts of South Asia, the piece exemplifies the technical mastery of gouache (opaque watercolor) heightened with gold, a hallmark of Indian miniature painting s...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...