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The Rhinoceros, 1515. Creator: Albrecht Dürer (German, 1471-1528)
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The Rhinoceros, 1515. Creator: Albrecht Dürer (German, 1471-1528)
The Rhinoceros, 1515. In May 1515, the first rhinoceros since antiquity to reach Europe alive arrived in Lisbon, Portugal. The ruler of Gujarat, Sultan Muzafar II, presented the exotic beast to the governor of Portuguese India, Alfonso d Albuquerque, who then sent it to King Manuel I. Later that year, the king sent the animal as a political gift to Pope Leo X. Sadly, the ship sank on its way to Italy, and the rhinoceros drowned. Durer and his contemporaries were fascinated with discoveries of the natural world, and as the rhinoceros made its journey, reports of the animal spread across Europe. Although he never saw the rhinoceros himself, Durer based his woodcut of the animal on a description and a sketch that was sent to Nuremberg. The Latin text at the top of the print describes the rhinoceros to be the colour of a speckled tortoise, covered in thick plates, and so well armed that even an elephant could not fend it off
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Media ID 19644012
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
1471 1528 Albrecht Durer Albrecht Dürer German
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The Rhinoceros, 1515. Creator: Albrecht Dürer (German, 1471-1528) This print showcases Albrecht Dürer's iconic woodcut of 'The Rhinoceros', a masterpiece that immortalizes the awe-inspiring creature that captured the imagination of Europe in the early 16th century. In an era when exotic animals were rare and mythical to most Europeans, this particular rhinoceros made history as it became the first one to reach Europe alive since antiquity. Gifted by Sultan Muzafar II of Gujarat to King Manuel I of Portugal, it was intended as a political offering but tragically met its demise during transport to Italy when the ship sank. Dürer's fascination with natural discoveries led him to create this woodcut based on descriptions and sketches sent from Nuremberg. The intricate details depict a creature resembling a speckled tortoise in color with thick plates covering its body, making it impervious even to an elephant's attack. As news about this extraordinary animal spread across Europe, Dürer's woodcut became widely celebrated for capturing both its physical attributes and mythical allure. Today, this print serves as a testament to Dürer's artistic genius and his ability to bring distant wonders closer through his masterful craftsmanship. Courtesy of Heritage Art/Heritage Images.
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