Et næsehorn 1740s

Johanna Fosie made this engraving of a rhinoceros in 18th century Denmark. The image likely circulated in the context of scientific illustration, perhaps as part of a larger compendium of natural history. The image presents itself as an objective record of the animal's likeness, as the inscription reads “Johanna Fosie ad vivum delin. et fec.", meaning Johanna Fosie drew it and made it from life. However, the composition inevitably reflects the cultural and social conditions of its production. What did it mean to depict exotic animals for a Danish audience? How did the project of natural history relate to imperial expansion and the growth of global trade networks? Was Fosie part of a larger scientific community, perhaps associated with a university or museum? These are just some of the questions we might ask to understand the image in its historical context. Art historians can investigate printed books, archival records, and other primary sources to shed light on the cultural meanings of images like this one.