'Apes of Nature', 'Apes of God', were terms applied to artists in the Renaissance, highly singular, not to say contemptuous epithets to the modern mind. The men of the Renaissance were far more robust and vital than we are today, from which fact we may be justified in drawing the conclusion that to possess simian characteristics in addition to the human facilities was not regarded as derogatory, but rather as evidence of a high order of talent. In the opinion of the day the artist appeared to be endowed with the gifts of an ape to a peculiar degree, since his main function, it was held, was the art of imitating, of which already in those days, member of the monkey tribe were such dexterous exponents. Hence it was a mark of distinction to be dubbed 'an Ape of Nature', whereas an 'Ape of God' was an artist who had reached the highest pinnacle of fame.
-Fritz Menax, translated by H.S. Whitman
from Art Fakes and Forgeries
1955, Surrey Fine Arts Press Ltd.