Skip to Content

Arts Intel Report

Clara the Rhinoceros

A German School rhinoceros, ca. 1665–70.

Sept 30, 2022 – Jan 15, 2023
Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam, Netherlands

In the mid-1700s, long before the wonder sheep Dolly made headlines as a clone or Grumpy Cat achieved internet fame, everyone was crazy about a ginormous Indian rhinoceros named Miss Clara. The 5,000-pound Clara sailed from Bengal to Rotterdam in 1741, transported by an ambitious Dutch sea captain. She then toured Europe—from Brussels to Venice, Paris to Warsaw, Prague to London—traveling in a wooden carriage drawn by eight horses, her thick hide kept hydrated with fish oil. Royal families paid court, and many artists captured her likeness. Miss Clara died in London in 1758. This exhibition commemorates the horned celebrity with portraiture, sculpture, and memorabilia. Its centerpiece is a life-size portrait of Clara from the Staatliches Museum in Schwerin, painted in 1749 by Jean-Baptiste Oudry. —Elena Clavarino

Photo: Mike Fear/Waddesdon Image Library/© Waddesdon (Rothschild Family)

Explore More

Nov 14, 2025 – Mar 8, 2026

Dec 12, 2025 – May 31, 2026

Until June 30, 2026

Recently Added

Feb 6 – May 25, 2026

Feb 14 – Aug 2, 2026