Clara the rhinoceros
A young rhinoceros named Clara was transported from India to the Netherlands in 1741 and subsequently traveled throughout Europe for 17 years with her owner, Douwe Mout. At that time, people in Europe had almost no opportunity to see a rhinoceros, making Clara’s presence a sensational phenomenon. Clara was exhibited in various countries, greeted with astonishment and curiosity, and eventually became known as “the most famous rhinoceros in European history.”
Through his research, Gijs van der Ham sheds light on the lives of the people surrounding Clara, the trajectory of her travels, and how she influenced European perceptions of rhinoceroses. Clara inspired dreams for many, but at the same time, she was a captive who spent her life in a cage. Her story became a symbolic narrative reflecting human curiosity and attitudes toward nature and animals.
Publication Details
Publisher: Nai010 Publishers
Language: English
Year: 2023
Dimensions: 15 x 21 cm
Pages: 208, Softcover