The Rhinoceros

The Rhinoceros is an iconic woodcut created by the German Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer in 1515. This print, a powerful testament to the detailed potential of relief printing, was produced shortly after the first living rhinoceros arrived in Europe since antiquity. The creature was a diplomatic gift from the Sultan of Gujarat to King Manuel I of Portugal, reaching Lisbon in May 1515.

Dürer, based hundreds of miles away in Nuremberg, never saw the massive mammal firsthand. He executed the image based solely on a textual description and a rough sketch sent from Lisbon. The resulting representation profoundly influenced Western zoological illustration. The image features the rhinoceros encased in what appears to be heavy, articulated armor, complete with rivet-like details, segmented plates, and an extra horn near its shoulders, giving the animal the appearance of an impenetrable fortress.

Although biologically inaccurate in many details—such as the scale-like texture of the skin and the decorative folds—Dürer’s meticulous linework and cross-hatching techniques lend the beast a monumental and powerful quality, transforming it into a near-mythical creature for the European imagination. For over 200 years, this artistic rendering remained the standard image of the rhinoceros. This widely influential work remains a cornerstone of the artist’s graphic output. This specific impression of The Rhinoceros resides in the extensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its age and profound cultural significance, the design for this historic print is now widely accessible in the public domain, allowing for widespread study and appreciation of Dürer’s technical genius.