Head of a Rhinoceros, Half Submerged in the Water c. 1870 - 1884

August Allebé rendered this image of a rhinoceros head, half-submerged in water, using graphite. The rhinoceros, a creature of immense power and primeval force, has been a symbol laden with cultural weight. The image harks back to Dürer's woodcut, and further back to ancient depictions that carry the weight of centuries of symbolic association. In ancient Roman circuses, the rhinoceros was an emblem of exotic power. Similarly, across cultures, from ancient Egyptian bestiaries to medieval European tapestries, the rhinoceros has been associated with raw, untamed energy. Observe how its submerged state conveys a dual sense of vulnerability and latent strength. This is a powerful emotional paradox that reaches deep into our subconscious. The recurring image of animals carries a psychological echo, resurfacing throughout time and manifesting in new forms, evolving in meaning. The beast, a symbol of both fear and fascination, continues its timeless dance through our collective imagination.