The Rhinoceros

The Rhinoceros by Albrecht Dürer is an exceptional impression produced in 1620, reflecting the profound and lasting impact of the Renaissance artist’s original design. Classified as a print, this particular impression housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a chiaroscuro woodcut, a sophisticated technique developed in the early 16th century that utilizes multiple blocks to achieve graduated tonal effects. The work incorporates a tone block printed in a subtle light olive green, adding depth and textural complexity rarely achieved in standard relief printing.

Although the initial design was created in 1515 based on written descriptions and a sketch of a rhinoceros that arrived in Lisbon, this later impression confirms the image’s status as one of the most widely circulated and significant prints of the period. Dürer rendered the subject not through direct observation but through extrapolation, depicting the rhinoceros as a heavily armored beast clad in intricate scales and plates reminiscent of medieval armor. This highly stylized interpretation solidified the European visual understanding of the animal for nearly 300 years.

This piece exemplifies Dürer’s technical mastery as an engraver and his crucial role in establishing prints as a powerful medium for widespread communication. The availability of such influential prints today ensures that the groundbreaking legacy of Dürer remains accessible to the public domain. This seminal work is a highlight of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s extensive collection of Northern Renaissance prints.