Dürer’s rhino


Albrecht Dürer’s Rhinoceros broadside, 1515

‘probably no animal picture has exerted such a profound influence on the arts’ -T.H. Clarke

The story behind Dürer’s Rhinoceros involves a Pope, some guesswork, a sketch and a shipwreck.

And the famous 16th century poster (above) influenced rhino art for years to come. This Wiki has some great historical detail (with derivatives) – including Salvador Dalí’s sculptural take on Dürer’s famous Rhino (below).


Salvador Dalí’s Rinoceronte vestido con puntillas, 1956

rhino prints
And one can snag a giclee print of Dürer’s rhino here. Or here. Or if a poster doesn’t suit and you’d rather have a tee, mug or stein, check out these wares at Cafe Press. This one hops. Or here’s basic black.

rhino book
The story behind the actual rhino became the basis for Lawrence Norfolk’s epic novel The Pope’s Rhinoceros. Snag a copy here.

rhino sale
Plus, a few years back – in lieu of a White Elephant – a handful of volunteers from ADAC had a White Rhino Sale. Because ‘white rhinos trump white elephants.’

Dürer said so. Flyer below.


Design by mehallo and Jeremy McCain (with a little help from Dürer), 2006

One Response to “Dürer’s rhino”

  1. This woodcut of the Rhinoceros was probably among the most memorable images I recalled of my childhood when I first got excited about drawing. Despite being a relatively inaccurate image of the Indian rhinoceros, it was amazing in itself to see the detail he put into this animal considering he never even saw it firsthand. It should also be noted that he had the most interesting play on his own monogram signature. Timeless. Keep up the great posts. Always something interesting to read about.

    -TL


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