The Duchess of Wister by Tom Palmore

The Duchess of Wister by Tom Palmore.

 

For instance, there is technically no royalty in Wister, Oklahoma, USA. Yet Tom’s capturing of this simian’s pose and expression seems to have introduced just such a blue-blood line. Whether it is actually the case or not, we often project our own range of human emotions and quirky traits onto the actions and mannerisms of animals. This chimpanzee seemed to exude to Tom the domineering and regal look of European royalty usually found in a Renaissance portrait. His choice of placing her before the stately purple curtain with a classic landscape for a backdrop only further enhances the illusion. Who’s to say what the Duchess was really thinking about that day, but we’d certainly be interested in Mr. Darwin’s thoughts on the matter.

 

Canvas released 2001.