Artists have often made fun of politicians, royalty, and others by depicting them as monkeys. Here are a few examples.
Cham (1819-1879), Le docteur Véron remomcant à la plume pour se livrer à la peinture satyrique, 1851. Lithograph. GA2009.00083. Gift of William H. Helfand.
George Cruikshank (1792-1878), The Royal Menagerie, on the Road to Ruin Spain, March 12, 1823. Etching with hand-coloring. GA Cruikshank Cohn 1924. Gift of Richard W. Meirs, class of 1888.
Frederick Burr Opper (1857-1937), Untitled, no date. Pen and ink on board. GA2007.00153.
Thomas Nast (1840-1902), Our Modern Canute at Long Branch, October 11, 1873. Wood engraving. GA2008.01719
George Cruikshank (1792-1878), The Genius of France, Expounding Her Laws to the Sublime People, April 4, 1815. Etching with hand-coloring. GA Cruikshank Cohn 1152. Gift of Richard W. Meirs, class of 1888
Thomas Nast (1840-1902), No, No More Chestnuts for Me, January 6, 1877. Wood engraving. GA2008.01562.
Lawson Wood (born 1878), A Good Egg Stays on the Job, no date. Published by “OSS” [United States Office of Strategic Services?]. Photomechanical poster. GA World War Posters.
Lawson Wood (born 1878), Keep Mum Chum. Only a Monkey Spills the Dope, no date. Published by “OSS” [United States Office of Strategic Services?]. Photomechanical poster. GA World War Posters.
Bernard Gillan (1856-1896), Untitled [U.S. Senator Thomas Platt as monkey], 1885. Pen and ink on board. GA2007.00106.
I love "No, No More Chestnuts for Me". It's actually quite beautiful.