Therefore,
Incredible story painter monkey which:
Born in nature around 1954. Meanwhile, Congo, a young chimpanzee joined the London zoo very early on, where he quickly attracted the attention of Desmond Morris, writer and zoologistzoologist.
At only two years old. Consequently, in 1956, the man, also a painter, offered him a pencil and a sheet of paper: this simple gesture will mark the beginning of an extraordinary artistic adventure.
Early talent – Incredible story painter monkey which
From the first sessions, Desmond Morris notices the unusual qualities of Congo. Nevertheless, The chimpanzee spontaneously draws regular and coherent patterns, balancing the shapes on the canvas with an amazing regularity. For example, When the researcher draws a shape on a part of the canvas. Moreover, the chimpanzee strives to balance the composition on the other side.
It is important to note that at no time experience, Morris has encouraged or rewarded Congo for his works.
Over incredible story painter monkey which the sessions. Consequently, the zoologist says that Congo becomes more and more assured, as well in his movementsmovements that in the way he composes his works. Furthermore, Little by little. Congo becomes obsessed with his painting sessions, and when someone tries to interrupt him before he finished, he manifests intense anger. If he thinks he was finished, he categorically refuses to continue.
Very quickly, Congo made a name for himself. Chimpanzee makes the headlines and becomes a world star, attracting the attention of the biggest names in art.
An experience that divides the artistic world
In 1957. Desmond Morris organized a large exhibition at the London Contemporary Arts Institute, devoted to monkey’s works. The event caused a sensation, and the artistic press is passionate about the Congo case.
Personalities of surrealism like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró are interested in the creations of the Chimpanzee. incredible story painter monkey which Picasso even buys canvases, while Miró exchanges two of his own works for one of those in Congo. The criticisms welcome the works with a combination of skepticism and mockery.
But Desmond Morris, firmly convinced, defends the idea of an authentic aesthetic sense in Congo. According to him. the chimpanzee shows an ability to the abstract composition comparable to the birth of art in humans, an observation that he records in his work The Biology of Art In 1962.
Congo’s enthusiasm for painting ended, however, of being died in 1959, for no apparent reason. Shortly after the end of his painting sessions, Congo died in 1964 at the age of ten, struck by tuberculosis.
A lasting heritage
After his death, the story of Congo continues to amaze and fascinate. Its 400 paintings, dispersed after the 1957 exhibition, find new owners. Some are offered, others sold, but all keep an immense symbolic value.
Desmond incredible story painter monkey which Morris. who documented this whole story, has devoted his life to the study of animal behavior. © Web of Stories
The case of Congo remains a point of reference in reflection on animal creativity. its links with that of man and the interest in his works reborn in the 2000s. In 2005, three canvases in Congo were auction in London, alongside those of Renoir and Warhol. Then, in 2019, the Mayor Gallery in London organized a large retrospective entitled “Congo the Chimpanzee, the Birth of Art”.
Beyond its role as an object of scientific study. Congo, the chimpanzee, remains a unique figure in the history of art, the one that transcended the borders of its species to become a true artist.
Further reading: For 13 years, Elizabeth and her triangle house at € 40,000 inspire an entire generation – Hashim Nasr : On War and Displacement – “The Emotions of 1989”, by Hélène Miard-Delacroix: 1989, the year of promises – Hokusai exhibited at the Nantes History Museum – Florencia Cairo exhibits in Plieux: an instinctive painting between Argentina and Gers, between light and matter.
