The Rhinoceros – Albrecht Dürer

An extraordinary creature, an iconic image: one of the most fascinating animal illustrations of the Renaissance.

Created in 1515 by the German Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer, The Rhinoceros is one of the most famous animal prints in the history of art. Depicted in profile, the imposing animal stands against a simple background, its body covered in elaborate armour-like plates, with powerful legs, a distinctive horn and remarkably detailed textures.

The story behind this image is as fascinating as the artwork itself. In 1515, a rhinoceros arrived in Lisbon as a diplomatic gift from India to King Manuel I of Portugal. The extraordinary animal caused a sensation throughout Europe. Although Dürer never saw it in person, he created this remarkable woodcut based on a written account and a sketch sent from Portugal.

His imaginative interpretation, with its armoured skin and additional horn on its back, became the defining image of the rhinoceros in European art and natural history for more than two centuries.

A landmark of Renaissance printmaking, this iconic illustration combines artistic imagination, historical curiosity and extraordinary craftsmanship. A timeless piece for lovers of wildlife, classical art and natural history.

Artist: Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528)
Date: 1515
Subject: Indian rhinoceros
Original technique: Woodcut with letterpress
Original title: Rhinocerus