Who painted Nashorn Rhinoceros?

Nashorn Rhinoceros was painted by Johann Elias Ridinger in 1748.

Where can I see Nashorn Rhinoceros?

Nashorn Rhinoceros is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Nashorn Rhinoceros?

Nashorn Rhinoceros is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Nashorn Rhinoceros

Johann Elias Ridinger , 1748

Nashorn Rhinoceros is an ink print by the Baroque artist Johann Elias Ridinger. It dates from 1748 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Johann Elias Ridinger’s *Nashorn Rhinoceros* is an 1748 etching executed on laid paper. The print presents a single rhinoceros positioned centrally within a natural landscape, its head lowered and body turned toward the left. The surrounding scenery includes trees, rolling hills and a cloud‑filled sky, rendered in the same fine line work as the animal itself.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on the rhinoceros, an exotic animal that would have been known to European audiences primarily through travel accounts and curiosities. By placing the creature in a tranquil, pastoral setting, Ridinger emphasizes its physical presence while integrating it into a familiar, bucolic environment, reflecting the 18th‑century fascination with the natural world.

Technique & Style

Ridinger employs the etching process to achieve intricate textures and tonal contrasts. Fine incised lines convey the rough skin of the rhinoceros, while broader washes create depth through light and shadow. The interplay of dark outlines against lighter areas of the paper enhances the three‑dimensional illusion of the animal and landscape.

History & Provenance

Ridinger, a German painter, engraver, and publisher, was renowned for his animal studies and hunting scenes, as well as designs for Meissen porcelain. This print exemplifies his skill in animal illustration and his contribution to the print market of the mid‑18th century, though specific ownership records for this particular impression are not documented.