Hanno, The Pope’s Leo X Elephant 1516

"Hanno, The Pope’s Leo X Elephant" is a 1516 drawing by the Italian High Renaissance master Raphael, depicting the elephant Hanno, a gift to Pope Leo X from the King of Portugal. The drawing is a fine example of Raphael’s mastery of animal anatomy and the use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth. The detailed depiction of Hanno, a rare and exotic animal at the time, likely contributed to its popularity and influence on the art of animal representation.