Dancing monkeys in a tavern.

Drawing, pen, brown ink and grey wash, 23,5 x 37 cm, laid paper with Parisian watermark (Heawood: 696, Shield with 3 circles), apocryphally signed "D. Teniers" (foxing, several brown stains, wormtracks and old glue marks along margins).

Mounted on a cardb. support and under frame.

A typical subject of the large and varied series of "singeries" figuring apes imitating human behaviour, a popular theme in 17th Century society particularly in Antwerp. Introduced by Pieter van der Borcht, developped and promoted by David II Teniers (1610-1690) and practiced by Sebastian Vrancx, Jan I and Ferdinand van Kessel, Frans II Francken, Jan Brueghel (I & II) and Abraham Teniers.
Special thanks to Dr Bert Schepers, Centrum Rubenianum, Antwerp.
See also lot 9 : "Monkeys at School".