Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Explores the Story of "Clara the Rhinoceros"
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam invites visitors to discover the compelling story of Clara the Rhinoceros in a dedicated exhibition running from September 30, 2022, to January 15, 2023. This unique presentation focuses on one of history's most renowned animals, whose journey from India to Europe captivated audiences and transformed scientific and artistic understanding of rhinoceroses.
Visitors to the Phillips Wing can explore approximately 60 objects that trace Clara's impact. The exhibition features a diverse collection of paintings, drawings, medals, statues, books, clocks, and even a goblet. Many of these artworks have rarely been shown in the Netherlands, and this marks the first time such an extensive collection devoted to Clara has been brought together. Highlights include the earliest European print of a rhinoceros by Albrecht Dürer from 1515, and a life-size portrait of Clara painted by Jean-Baptiste Oudry in 1749.
Clara's European Journey: A Celebrity in Amsterdam
Clara may not have been the first rhinoceros in Europe, but she certainly became the most famous. Arriving in Amsterdam in 1741 after a long voyage from India, she was presented by her owner, Douwe Mout van der Meer, to paying audiences at fairs, markets, carnivals, and royal courts across Europe. For 17 years, she traveled in a custom-built cart, visiting cities like Vienna, Paris, Naples, and Copenhagen. Upon her return to the Netherlands, she resided in a field in North Amsterdam before her eventual passing in London in 1758.
Her presence sparked immense public interest, as few Europeans had ever seen a live rhinoceros. Before Clara, much of the public's perception came from Dürer’s 1515 print, which, based on an earlier sketch, depicted the animal with inaccurate features like an extra horn and armor-like skin. Clara's actual appearance challenged these misconceptions, leading to more accurate artistic and scholarly portrayals. The exhibition features numerous depictions of Clara, including a painting by Pietro Longhi showing her before an audience in Venice, a large marble statue by Pieter Anton Verschaffelt, and an extraordinary clock featuring Clara as its base, crafted by Parisian bronzier Jean-Joseph de Saint-Germain.
Beyond the Spectacle: Clara's Enduring Legacy
The exhibition delves deeper than Clara's celebrity, exploring the complex relationship between humans and animals. While Clara was admired and studied, her life was largely confined and dependent on human handlers, rarely allowing for natural behaviors. This aspect is highlighted by a 1750 book by Christoph Gottlieb Richter, which imagined a conversation where the rhinoceros criticizes human treatment. Contemporary artist Rossella Biscotti's 2016 installation, also featured in the exhibition, uses Clara’s story to reflect on themes of colonialism, exoticism, globalization, exploitation, and power dynamics between species.
The exhibition's design for Clara the Rhinoceros and the related "Crawly Creatures" presentation was developed by stage designer Theun Mosk | Ruimtetijd, with graphic design by Irma Boom.
Planning Your Visit to the Rijksmuseum
Tickets for the Clara the Rhinoceros exhibition were available from late August 2022 via the Rijksmuseum website. Visitors should note that booking a specific start time for their visit is required. An accompanying book, Clara the Rhinoceros, written by exhibition curator Gijs van der Ham, is also available.
To discover more about cultural events and explore other museums in Amsterdam, you can browse through Musemap (musemap.art) for current exhibitions and a wide range of cultural spots, or view a full list of local museums.
