Hansken the Elephant c. 1650

"Hansken the Elephant" is an anonymous 17th-century Dutch etching that depicts the titular elephant in a series of 16 vignettes. The images, in a grid format, demonstrate Hansken's various skills, from picking up objects with its trunk to carrying a rider on its back, all while being accompanied by human handlers. This captivating artwork, housed in the Rijksmuseum, provides a glimpse into the fascination with exotic animals during the Dutch Golden Age. It serves as a valuable historical record of animal training and exhibition, offering a unique window into the cultural context of the time.