Story of Suleyman : Celebrity Elephants and other Exotica in Renaissance Portugal - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1616588217 ISBN 13: 9781616588212

Synopsis

In 1542, a small elephant was prodded onto a ship in Ceylon bound for Portugal, the beginning of a remarkable expedition. His epic ten-year journey was punctuated by a pirate attack off the coast of France, a trek across the Alps, and a celebrated river barge voyage. Everywhere he travelled, the pachyderm became an instant sensation, and his image was captured by contemporary artists in a surprisingly complete pictorial history. Later dubbed Süleyman, this celebrity elephant was the prized pet of a succession of royal owners: Catherine of Austria, Prince Carlos of Spain, and finally Emperor Maximilian II of Austria. "The Story of Süleyman tells this fascinating tale, providing a glimpse into the daily lives of Renaissance royals in the 1500s. It explores their insatiable appetite for imported animals and merchandise, the role their exotic pets played as beloved companions, the robust commercial market that emerged to support their extravagance, and the symbolic significance of their opulent collections. The story comes to life with images (several never before published) by such early Renaissance luminaries as Albrecht Dürer, Giuseppe Arcimboldo, Anthonis Mor, and Giulio Romano, and includes a detailed bibliography, image credits, and a simplified genealogy.

About this edition

• ISBN 10: 1616588217
• ISBN 13: 9781616588212
• Binding: Paperback