Design for the Memorial to the Elephant Hanno c. 16th century

Editor: So, this is Giovanni Francesco Penni's "Design for the Memorial to the Elephant Hanno." I’m really struck by the tenderness in the drawing, even though it's just a preparatory sketch. What do you see in this piece, beyond the obvious elephant? Curator: Ah, tenderness! Yes, precisely! The artist captures Hanno’s gentle giantliness, doesn't he? It's more than just an elephant; it’s a glimpse into a Renaissance world where exotic animals were both spectacle and beloved companion. Notice the bell, the posture of the rider, the scale of the human figures – they're not just documenting, they're celebrating this magnificent creature. Editor: It's amazing to think about the cultural impact of just one elephant. Curator: Absolutely, and Penni helps us remember the weight of that impact, both literally and figuratively. It's a poignant memorial, isn’t it?