Why it matters
Dürer never saw the animal: his woodcut is based on a written description and sketch of an Indian rhinoceros that arrived in Lisbon in 1515, the first living one seen in Europe since Roman times. Despite its armour-like plates and a horn on its back, it was taken as a true likeness until the late 18th century.
Did you know?
- The real rhinoceros died in a shipwreck off Italy on its way to Pope Leo X.
- It has been said that 'probably no animal picture has exerted such a profound influence on the arts'.
- It was copied many times over three centuries.
Based on the Wikipedia article Dürer's Rhinoceros (CC BY-SA 4.0).
