Existing comment:
The Rhinoceros
early 17th century
Bohemian, possibly Prague
Albrecht Dürer likely based his captivating interpretation of a rhinoceros -- covered in hard plates and with scaly legs and an additional dorsal horn -- on a brief description and sketch of the animal sent to King Manuel I of Portugal in 1515. Though not an accurate representation, the rendering had a profound impact on subsequent depictions of the species. The Bohemian collage brings the armorlike hardness of Dürer's beast into three dimensions, enlivening it with the bright colors of valuable seashells from far-away oceans. |