Antique Engraving of a Capuchin Monkey (Simia apella Linn.), A. Hoffer, ca.1800
€ 240
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1800
Sheet size
28.4 × 22 cm (11.2 × 8.7 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13674-64
Condition
Good condition with slight age toning and minor handling marks typical for the period. Strong impression on laid paper with wide margins and visible plate mark. Slight edge wear at the top, otherwise very well preserved.
About this sheet
Antique Engraving of a Capuchin Monkey (Simia Apella Linn.), engraved by A. Hoffer, circa 1800
This elegant natural history engraving depicts the Capuchin Monkey (Simia Apella Linn.), engraved by A. Hoffer around 1800. The plate belongs to the refined tradition of late 18th-century European zoological illustration, in which scientific accuracy and artistic grace were harmoniously combined to record the animal kingdom for an expanding audience of scholars and collectors.
The Capuchin is shown perched on a gnarled branch, its body slightly turned and tail curling in a natural arc. Hoffer’s delicate engraving captures the monkey’s alert expression and fine fur texture with remarkable precision, while the landscape background—featuring tropical vegetation and distant rocky hills—suggests the exotic habitat of this South American species. The artist’s balanced composition and masterful use of line and shading give the image both realism and vitality.
The species name Simia Apella Linn. follows the Linnaean classification system introduced by Carl Linnaeus in the mid-18th century. Known today as the Brown Capuchin or Tufted Capuchin (Cebus apella), this intelligent and agile monkey was one of the first South American primates to be described in detail by European naturalists. Engravings such as this were central to Enlightenment-era natural history publications, which sought to document the diversity of global fauna through accurate yet aesthetically pleasing illustrations.
A. Hoffer’s fine craftsmanship reflects the high standards of German natural history engraving at the turn of the 19th century. His works, often produced for scholarly compendia and zoological atlases, display the clarity and precision essential to scientific illustration, while also embodying the artistic sensibility that makes these prints enduringly collectible.
Condition report: Good condition with slight age toning and minor handling marks typical for the period. Strong impression on laid paper with wide margins and visible plate mark. Slight edge wear at the top, otherwise very well preserved.
Framing tips: A soft ivory or light cream mat will enhance the warmth of the paper. A simple walnut or black wooden frame will complement the engraving’s fine detail, making it a timeless addition to any natural history or classical art display.
Technique: Engraving on laid paper Engraver: A. Hoffer Maker: German, circa 1800
