The rhinoceros shown here was brought to lisbon (portugal). It was a present of sultans muzafar for the portuguese viceroy, who eventually passed it on to dom manuel. Initially, the animal was kept at the torre de belém. By december 1515 the rhinoceros was send to rome, as a present for pope leo x. Unfortunately, the ship sank, including the precious animal. The text at the top of drawing says (translated from 16th century german to english): "in the year 1515 1. May anno domini one has brought emanuel, the big and mighty king of portugal, such an animal from india to portugal. It is called rhinozeros. It is illustrated here with all its likeness. It is colored like a speckled turtle. And it is covered by thick shells. And it has the size of an elephant, but short legs and it is well-fortified. It has a sharp, strong horn on the nose. Which is whetted, if it find stones somewhere. This animal is an deadly enemy of the elephant. The elephant is afraid of it, because if they meet, the rhinozeros runs through the forelegs of the elephant and disembowel the belly and kills him. The elephant is not able to protect himself at all, since the rhinozeros is so well armed, the elephant cannot do anything. It is being said, the rhinozeros is quick, brave, and sly. ". Object Type: woodcut print. Genre: animal art. Date: 1515. Place of creation: Nuremberg. Dimensions: height: 23.5 cm (9.2 in) ; width: 29.8 cm (11.7 in). Medium: woodcut print. Collection: British Museum. Dürer-rhino
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