What is the statue of a monkey sitting on books and holding a skull? It is a sculpture designed by German artist Hugo Rheinhold, often called Affe mit Schädel (“Ape with Skull”) or the “Philosophizing Monkey.” The figure is a chimpanzee studying a human skull while seated on books. One book is marked “Darwin.”
A Hunterian Museum collection record identifies a bronze cast of this design, its artist and the details below. YouFine’s pictured sculpture is a replica of the design, not the museum’s cast.
Who Made the Monkey Holding a Skull Sculpture?
Hugo Rheinhold (1853–1900) designed the work. The Hunterian Museum describes its example as a bronze cast by H. Gladenbeck & Sohn, probably made between 1893 and 1920. Those dates refer to that cast; they should not be treated as the date of every replica.
How Can You Identify the Design?
- A chimpanzee sits on a stack of books and looks at a human skull.
- One book spine reads “Darwin.”
- On the museum’s cast, an open book bears the words “ERITIS SICUT DEUS,” translated in the collection record as “ye shall be as gods.”
- The figure also holds a pair of calipers with one foot.
These details are documented for the museum’s cast. A later reproduction may differ, so compare the inscriptions and small features when evaluating a particular piece.
What Does the Monkey and Skull Mean?
The books and “Darwin” inscription connect the figure with knowledge and debates about human origins. The skull introduces mortality. Together, they invite questions about what humans know about themselves. That is an interpretation of the visible imagery, not a recorded statement of Rheinhold’s intent.
The skull can also remind viewers of Hamlet considering Yorick’s skull. The name is Yorick, not “Ulric.” This literary parallel helps explain why some viewers connect the sculpture to reflection on death, but it does not prove that Shakespeare was Rheinhold’s direct inspiration.
Is This an Original or a Replica?
“Monkey with Skull” describes a design reproduced in multiple casts. If a seller describes a piece as an antique or an original cast, ask for its provenance, foundry marks, dimensions and material documentation. A new replica should be identified as a reproduction rather than presented as the museum’s object.
Explore a Bronze Replica
See YouFine’s bronze monkey with skull sculpture for the available design. If you need a particular size or finish, send the intended dimensions and installation location to request a project-specific quote.
