The artwork titled “Seated Monkey” is a creation by the renowned artist Pablo Picasso from the year 1905. This piece is crafted using ink and watercolor on paper and is a representation of the animal painting genre. Measuring at 49.5 x 31.6 cm, it falls within the era of Post-Impressionism, a movement known for its departure from the naturalistic depictions of light and color that characterized its precursor Impressionism.
“Seated Monkey” portrays the figure of a contemplative monkey seated upright, rendered with a sense of both simplicity and character. The strokes of ink define the basic outline of the monkey with a distinct sense of linearity, while the watercolor adds a modest yet noticeable texture to the composition. There’s an evident fluidity and ease in the brushwork, a hallmark of Picasso’s skillful hand, and despite the rudimentary representation, the monkey’s expression exudes a human-like pondering quality. The earthy tones provide a subdued backdrop, which further accentuates the subject. This artwork encapsulates Picasso’s foray into animal studies and reveals the breadth of his artistic exploration during the early years of the 20th century.
