Apen op de vismarkt - Matthijs Pool

A satirical eighteenth-century etching by Matthijs Pool depicting monkeys engaged in the daily commerce of a Dutch fish market.

This etching by Matthijs Pool belongs to the genre of singerie, a decorative style popular in the early eighteenth century that features monkeys dressed in human clothing and engaged in human activities. In this scene, the artist depicts a bustling fish market where the vendors and customers are entirely simian. The monkeys are dressed in the contemporary fashion of the period, complete with hats, aprons, and gowns, mirroring the social structures and daily routines of Dutch urban life.

Pool uses precise line work to define the textures of the fish, the wooden market stalls, and the fabric of the monkeys' garments. The composition is structured around the central market stall, which creates a clear sense of space and activity. The inclusion of text at the bottom of the print provides a satirical commentary on the scene, a common feature in Dutch prints of this era. The work functions as both a humorous observation of human behaviour and a display of technical skill in printmaking.

Matthijs Pool, an Amsterdam-based engraver and publisher, was known for his ability to capture detailed narratives within a single frame. This print reflects the fascination with the exotic and the satirical that permeated European art during the Enlightenment. By replacing human figures with monkeys, the artist invites the viewer to observe the absurdity of social roles and market interactions from a detached, ironic perspective. The print remains a curious example of how eighteenth-century artists used allegory and humour to comment on the mundane aspects of society.