Rhinoceros, Cast iron sculpture at Musée d'Orsay, France.
Rhinoceros is a cast iron sculpture standing approximately 2.86 meters tall and 2.29 meters wide, rendered with close anatomical accuracy in the material of cast iron. The work now sits in the outdoor spaces of Musée d'Orsay among other significant sculptures from this period.
Created for the 1878 Exposition Universelle, the sculpture initially adorned the Palais du Trocadéro as a public ornament. It was later moved to Porte de Saint-Cloud before finally finding its home at Musée d'Orsay.
This work reflects the late 19th-century French fascination with exotic wildlife at a time when scientific observation shaped artistic creation. The piece reveals how natural history became a source of inspiration for sculptors seeking to capture animal form with precision.
The sculpture can be viewed in the outdoor area of Musée d'Orsay, displayed among other significant artworks from the same era. The piece is readily visible and accessible from multiple angles.
The work was cast at the J. Voruz Aîné foundry in Nantes and weighs approximately three tons, requiring specialized expertise to create. It underwent a careful restoration by the Coubertin foundry in 1986.
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