A detailed etching by Jules de Goncourt depicting a chained monkey observing its own reflection in a mirror.

Jules de Goncourt, better known for his literary collaborations with his brother Edmond, was also a skilled amateur etcher. This work, The Monkey at the Mirror, demonstrates his technical proficiency with the needle and his interest in the observational qualities of the medium. The composition features a chained monkey, captured in a moment of intense, perhaps confrontational, engagement with its own reflection.

The etching relies on fine, cross-hatched lines to build volume and texture, particularly in the rendering of the monkey's fur and the shadowed interior of the mirror frame. The creature is depicted in profile, hunched over as it grips the frame, while its reflection stares back with a distinct, almost human-like expression of agitation. The inclusion of the chain at the monkey's waist adds a layer of melancholy to the scene, suggesting a captive subject rather than a wild one.

De Goncourt's approach to the subject is devoid of sentimentality. He focuses on the physical reality of the animal and the mechanics of the reflection. The background is left largely empty, which directs the viewer's attention entirely to the interaction between the subject and the mirror. This minimalist approach is characteristic of the etching revival movement in nineteenth-century France, where artists sought to elevate the medium beyond mere reproduction. The work captures a fleeting, psychological moment, rendered with precision and a keen eye for anatomical detail. It remains a curious example of the intersection between the literary sensibilities of the Goncourt brothers and the visual arts of their period.