Rhinocerus (Das Rhinozeros), Albrecht Dürer
Albrecht Dürer
Rhinocerus (Das Rhinozeros)
DE
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Albrecht Dürer

Rhinocerus (Das Rhinozeros), 1515


Blatt
239 x 298 mm
Physical Description
Woodcut and letterpress
Inventory Number
31588
Acquisition
Ancient Holding. Acquired before 1824
Status
Can be presented in the study room of the Graphische Sammlung (special opening hours)

Texts

About the Work

Shortly after an Indian sultan had sent King Manuel I of Portugal a rhinoceros as a gift, Dürer - who was not only imaginative, but also an astute businessman - produced a flyer documenting the occasion. Dürer never saw the creature himself and had to base his depiction of it entirely on descriptions and on what was probably not a very accurate drawing. In fact, no one in Europe had seen a rhinoceros since ancient times. Nonetheless, his fanciful design with scales, a carapace and horns was so convincing that it would determine the European image of a rhinoceros for centuries.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title
Rhinocerus (Das Rhinozeros) (Original Title)
Title Translation
Rhinoceros
Artist
Period Produced
School
Object Type
Physical Description
Woodcut and letterpress
Material
Technique
Label at the Time of Manufacture
Datiert, bezeichnet und monogrammiert oben rechts: 1515 / RHINOCERUS / AD
Watermark
  • Meder 171 (Doppelliniger Anker mit einseitigen Widerhaken im Kreis)
Work Catalogues
  • Bartsch VII.147.136
  • Meder 1932.254.273
  • Schoch/Mende/Scherbaum 2.420.241
  • Hollstein German VII.221.273
  • TIB 1001.336

Property and Acquisition

Institution
Administration
Collection
Creditline
Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main
Picture Copyright
Public Domain
Acquisition
Ancient Holding. Acquired before 1824

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre
Main Motif
Associated Persons and Institutions

Iconclass

Primary

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Last update

15.05.2023