Dear Friends! 

Take a trip to our virtual museum during your coffee or tea break and make your #quarantinediscoveries!
Admire unique cultural assets of the Museum Fund of Ukraine!

The collection of the Preserve includes an interesting print from the engraving of the Dutch master Peter Picart «Procession with an Elephant» (the 18th century), dating from the 19th century.

This engraving is a remarkable example of the fine art of the first half of the 18th century. It is a source for acquaintance with the festive and diplomatic culture of the Baroque period. The work demonstrates the role of animals as gifts to diplomatic acts expressed the Baroque attraction to exoticism.

The engraving of the subject is rare. The composition consists of 20 six horsed carriages, cages with two lions and a cheetah, numerous cages with birds, and small animals. A huge elephant dominates this scene. The representation of a solemn procession, which goes from one point to another, composed of picturesque twists, and rhythmically divided into groups, is traditional for the Baroque period.

Let's pay attention to the «main character» of the subject. The elephant, depicted in the engraving, was presented to Peter I in 1713 by the Persian Shah Hussein I. The animal was taken to St. Petersburg by the Caspian Sea, and then led on foot through Astrakhan and Moscow, where its appearance caused a huge resonance. They even sewed special leather boots for the elephant, and a special «elephant master» or «elephant teacher» was appointed to take care of him. On holidays, the animal was dressed in jewelry and taken to the homes of noble people.

Unfortunately, the elephant lived in the wild beast shew of St. Petersburg for a short time and died in 1717 due to improper housing conditions and an unsuitable climate. Other elephants were also presented to the Russian emperor, however, none of them were immortalized in engravings.

Lets #stayathome and discover the beauties of the Preserves collection together!

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