Chimpanzee Guitarist Painting – 19th Century French School (Attributed to C. Silhuay)
Artist: Attributed to C. Silhuay (French School)
Date: 1860
Medium: Oil on board
Dimensions: 29 × 24.5 cm
Status: Scheduled for full restoration (painting and frame)
Chimpanzee Guitarist Painting – 19th Century French School
Oil on board, original period frame
This whimsical chimpanzee guitarist painting from 19th-century France captures a costumed chimp mid-performance. With its playful charm and painterly execution, it merges anthropomorphism with academic artistry, creating a truly memorable composition.
Chimpanzee Guitarist and the Tradition of Anthropomorphic Art
Animal-themed paintings like this were often created for satire or humor. During the 19th century, artists in France enjoyed portraying animals dressed as humans, reflecting the Singerie tradition that began in the Rococo period. In such works, monkeys mimicked people in domestic or public scenes, offering clever commentary on human behavior.
This painting extends that tradition but introduces a more refined tone, blending humor with the darker color palette and technical precision typical of French academic art. The result is a visual dialogue between satire and serious craftsmanship.
Why Collect a 19th Century Chimpanzee Guitarist Painting?
The painting remains in its original wooden frame, which has not been restored. We chose to keep it untouched to preserve the aged character. The panel is stable and has no major condition issues. Such a chimpanzee guitarist painting is rare, especially when preserved in its original 19th-century condition.
In fact, This chimpanzee guitarist painting is a rare and clever piece. It would complement collections focused on animal portraiture, European genre painting, or humorous historical art. Its charm also appeals to those collecting curiosities or conversation pieces.
Additionally, this work would appeal to collectors interested in the visual history of animals in Western art. It serves as both a conversation piece and a glimpse into the playful sophistication of 19th-century French imagination. The artist’s lighthearted approach reflects broader trends in genre painting of the time, blending satire with subtle critique. This chimpanzee guitarist painting remains one of the most delightful examples of humorous animal portraiture we’ve encountered.
To explore more like this, visit our Gallery of Animal Paintings. For background on the Singerie tradition, see Singerie on Wikipedia.