Zoo, 1750
Writer & artists were pulled to the muse of wild animals of the world when ships unloaded them as treasures from expeditions that also brought back plants, spices, seeds and gems. In France, King Louis XV’s Versailles’ private zoo included cheetah, rhino, macaw, cassowary, along with domestic fox, wolf and others. Artist Jean-Baptiste Oudry painted many of the royals animals, including hunting dogs. This exhibit includes some of his best-preserved work, including an unusual restoration project for a portrait of a famous touring rhino known as Clara. Site highlights include listening to audio about how Clara, stolen as an infant from her mother to become a royal rover, was most likely displayed, fed & moved as she toured Europe, and set off a fad in design, even ladies’ hairstyles..
