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arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
Art History Animalia
@arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
4.3K followers 380 following 2.8K posts
Zoologist exploring animal iconography via intersections of natural history with art & visual culture history. AKA Deniz (she/they), PhD student @ UD.
https://linktr.ee/arthistoryanimalia
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arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
Oscar Jespers (Belgium, 1887-1970)
Lapin ( #Rabbit ), 1918
White stone, 75 x 35 x 23 cm
NF Art Gallery www.nf-art.be/lapin/
#Sculpture
official gallery photo of the rabbit sculpture in quarter turn side profile on gradient grey-blue to black background material labeled “white stone” but color is a pale green small statue of a rabbit (hare?) standing up on bent hind legs with front legs down against chest and very long ears, one straight up and one bent down nearly 90 degrees
November 27, 2025 at 5:09 AM
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
#Woodensday :
#Crow Mask (Nsua-Ndua)
Mambila culture, Cameroon, early 20th c.
Wood, pigment, paint
13 x 22 1/16 x 9 3/4 in. (33 x 56 x 24.8 cm)
On display at Baltimore Museum of Art (1987.146)
#AfricanArt #BirdsInArt
photo of the mask mounted on display at museum, quarter turn side profile view mask in the form of a crow head with large round eyes and open beak (giving appearance of a happy face), painted in black, white, and red photo of the mask mounted on display at museum, front facing profile view mask in the form of a crow head with large round eyes and open beak (giving appearance of a happy face), painted in black, white, and red
November 27, 2025 at 4:35 AM
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
#WatercolorWednesday :
Jacopo Ligozzi (Italian, 1547-1627)
A Woodchuck or Marmot with a Branch of Plums, 1605
watercolor & ink with gouache over traces of graphite
On display at “Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World” at National Gallery of Art (DC)
photo of the watercolor in white mat on display at museum; study of a single woodchuck specimen in side profile with plums in ground next to it (lower left) “Jacopo Ligozzi made detailed watercolor studies of animals for the natural history collections of the powerful Medici family in Florence. He probably had to work from a skin or a poorly executed piece of taxidermy, rather than from a live animal. Although Ligozzi successfully captured the animal's soft fur, the body is inaccurately chubby.” gallery label: “Jacopo Ligozzi Italian, 1547-1627 A Woodchuck or Marmot with a Branch of Plums, 1605 watercolor and ink with gouache over traces of graphite National Gallery of Art, Wolfgang Ratjen Collection, Purchased as the Gift of Helen Porter and James T. Dyke Woodchuck (Marmota monax), USNM 612505 Loan courtesy of National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution Jacopo Ligozzi made detailed watercolor studies of animals for the natural history collections of the powerful Medici family in Florence. He probably had to work from a skin or a poorly executed piece of taxidermy, rather than from a live animal. Although Ligozzi successfully captured the animal's soft fur, the body is inaccurately chubby.”
November 27, 2025 at 4:23 AM
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
#WatercolorWednesday :
Hans Hoffmann (German, c. 1545/1550-1591/1592)
Red Squirrel, 1578
watercolor & gouache over traces of graphite on parchment
On display at “Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World” at National Gallery of Art (DC)
photo of the watercolor in white mat on display at museum; study of a single red squirrel specimen in quarter turn side profile with paws to mouth eating a nut “Detailed watercolors of animals played an important role in natural history collections. Hans Hoffmann specialized in meticulous nature studies like this one. Hoffmann and Hoefnagel both worked in the courts at Munich and Prague and likely knew one another. Hoffmann devoted special attention to the texture of the squirrel's fur, layering fine brushstrokes of the browns, reds, grays, and whites that he saw in the live animal.” gallery label: “Hans Hoffmann German, c. 1545/1550-1591/1592 Red Squirrel, 1578 watercolor and gouache over traces of graphite on parchment National Gallery of Art, Woodner Collection Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), USNM 612506 Loan courtesy of National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution Detailed watercolors of animals played an important role in natural history collections. Hans Hoffmann specialized in meticulous nature studies like this one. Hoffmann and Hoefnagel both worked in the courts at Munich and Prague and likely knew one another. Hoffmann devoted special attention to the texture of the squirrel's fur, layering fine brushstrokes of the browns, reds, grays, and whites that he saw in the live animal.”
November 27, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Reposted by Art History Animalia
medmilmedicine.bsky.social
The arms of an octopus were used to mark specific parts of this page that were of importance or interest - 14th century, Bancroft Library, BANC MS UCB 085
November 17, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Reposted by Art History Animalia
medmilmedicine.bsky.social
An ‘elephant done by a medieval artist that had never seen one’ - 15th century, London, Wellcome Library, MS.626, f. 228r
November 24, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Reposted by Art History Animalia
drnwillburger.bsky.social
What a gorgeous #Greek rhyton in the form of a #donkey's head! Dating ca. 450 BC.
Vessels such as this one were used in drinking parties. Since they didn't have a base, the content had to be consumed before the vessel could be put down

📷 Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien

🏺
Ancient Greek ceramic vessel shaped like a donkey’s head, with a black-glazed flaring rim decorated with figures and patterns, and a curved handle.
November 25, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Reposted by Art History Animalia
trimontiumtrust.bsky.social
Fancy a #grasshoppers on a ring? The #Romans did.
Between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, grasshoppers seem to have been pretty fashionable amongst the subjects carved on #intaglios.
A grasshopper driving a chariot; credits:https://bertolamifineart.bidinside.com/en/lot/158949/a-roman-carnelian-intaglio-grasshopper-/ A grasshopper driving a chariot; credits:https://bertolamifineart.bidinside.com/en/lot/158949/a-roman-carnelian-intaglio-grasshopper-/ A grasshopper driving a chariot; credits:https://bertolamifineart.bidinside.com/en/lot/158949/a-roman-carnelian-intaglio-grasshopper-/
November 25, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Reposted by Art History Animalia
wildlife.nathan.fun
Die Flügelschnecken (Strombea) Nürnberg: Verlag von Bauer und Raspe (Julius Merz), 1845. (source: https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/52485874) #nature #illustration #art
Die Flügelschnecken (Strombea) Nürnberg: Verlag von Bauer und Raspe (Julius Merz), 1845. https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/52485874�
November 25, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Reposted by Art History Animalia
wildlife.nathan.fun
Monograph of the Paradiseidae, or birds of paradise and Ptilonorhynchidae, or bower-birds. London: H. Sotheran & Co., 1891-98. (source: https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/48735306) #nature #illustration #art
Monograph of the Paradiseidae, or birds of paradise and Ptilonorhynchidae, or bower-birds. London: H. Sotheran & Co., 1891-98. https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/48735306�
November 24, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Reposted by Art History Animalia
mymodernmet.bsky.social
Laura Dalla Vecchia of Leveza Art has embroidered over 150 birds found throughout Brazil on dry leaves. trib.al/EeCmgjW
Embroidery Artist Carefully Stitches Over 150 Colorful Bird Species on Dry Leaves
Stitching birds onto dry leaves without completely destroying the foliage is absolutely remarkable!
trib.al
November 10, 2025 at 9:17 PM
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
#TextileTuesday :
Bryony Rose Jennings: Storyland Stitching
“The textile menagerie of Bryony Rose Jennings is filled with a variety of ‘beasties’, whose charms are irresistible.”
www.textileartist.org/bryony-rose-...
Bryony Rose Jennings: Storyland stitching – TextileArtist
The textile menagerie of Bryony Rose Jennings is filled with a variety of ‘beasties’, whose charms are irresistible.
www.textileartist.org
November 26, 2025 at 9:17 AM
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
#TurtleTuesday 🐢:
Divine #Turtle of Longevity (Minogame)
Japan, 19th c.
Copper alloy
On display at The Walters Art Museum (54.1355)
#JapaneseArt #AuspiciousAnimals
photo of the minogame sculpture with label on display at museum “Divine Turtle of Longevity (Minogame) Japan, 19th century Copper alloy Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters, before 1931, acc. no. 54.1355”
November 26, 2025 at 8:19 AM
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
#TilesOnTuesday :
Sibylle Peretti (German, active New Orleans, b. 1964)
Diluvial Land, 2025
Kiln-formed glass, engraved, silvered, painted, paper appliqué
On display at New Orleans Museum of Art (2024.59)
#BirdsInArt #ContemporaryArt #WomenArtists
photo of the artwork on display at museum Landscape art on 6 tiles (2 rows of 3) “the skyline of our city (NOLA) as seen from the opposite banks of the Mississippi River” closeup of bird #1 closeup of bird #2 gallery sign: “Sibylle Peretti German, active New Orleans, born 1964 Diluvial Land, 2025 Kiln-formed glass, engraved, silvered, painted, paper appliqué Museum purchase, William McDonald Boles and Eva Carol Boles Fund 2024.59 New Orleans based artist Sibylle Peretti uses layers of opalescent glass for her own take on traditional landscape paintings. Her diluvial-or, related to a flood-land shows the skyline of our city as seen from the opposite banks of the Mississippi River. The view is familiar if overgrown, but when you look closely you feel this transformed world has a bit of magic. In the absence of humans, along the rocky river shore birds and weeds intermingle with strands of beads, remnants of a Carnival season. Peretti contemplates the precarious balance where wildness meets civilization. Her glass finds beauty in this encounter, but also serves as a warning about the fragility of our ecosystem. She reflects: "The resilience of New Orleans and other vulnerable urban landscapes in the face of human expansion and climate change was the guiding theme of this work. I imagine a post-flood world where animals and plants hybridize, using human artifacts to build a stronger, more resilient world."
November 26, 2025 at 8:04 AM
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
#Giraffes 🦒
“Zootopiaries: Nature's Sculptures” at Philadelphia Zoo
# of plants: 7,000 & 10,000
weight: 8,950 lbs & 13,100 lbs
height: 14.5 ft & 21 ft
#ZooArt #Topiary
photo of the topiary display at zoo (outdoors on a Sunday day, brown fence and green trees behind): two giraffes (neck and head, not full body) side by side photo of the sign “Giraffes NUMBER OF PLANTS SMALL: 7,000 TALL: 10,000 WEIGHT SMALL: 8,950 LBS. TALL: 13,100 LBS. HEIGHT SMALL: 14 FT. 6 IN. TALL: 21 FT. Zootopiaries Nature's Sculptures Created in Canada by: Santoline MOSAICULTURE PHILADELPHIA ZOO”
November 25, 2025 at 4:57 AM
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
Norman Akers (Osage Nation, b.1958)
Drowning #Elk, 2020
Oil on canvas
On display at Zimmerli Art Museum, Rutgers University “Indigenous Identities: Here, Now & Always” exhibition
#IndigenousArt #NativeAmericanArt #ContemporaryArt
photo of the painting on display at museum, large format unframed canvas “Floating in a blue aquatic scape surrounded by plastic water bottles, the Great Elk calls out. In a desperate plea, he acknowledges a world in crisis: one where water, essential to life, is bottled and sold. This commodification of water, a vital life-giving element, is now complicit in adding to the human-made waste that suffocates our world, which should concern us all." gallery sign: “Norman AKERS Citizen of the Osage Nation (b. 1958) Drowning Elk 2020 Oil on canvas Gochman Family Collection "Floating in a blue aquatic scape surrounded by plastic water bottles, the Great Elk calls out. In a desperate plea, he acknowledges a world in crisis: one where water, essential to life, is bottled and sold. This commodification of water, a vital life-giving element, is now complicit in adding to the human-made waste that suffocates our world, which should concern us all." -N.A. ฿ 308”
November 25, 2025 at 3:02 AM
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
Dish with #peafowls and peonies
China, Ming dynasty, Yongle mark & period (1403-24)
Carved red lacquer
On display at Metropolitan Museum of Art (2015.500.1.29)
#ChineseArt #BirdsInArt #Peacock
photo of the red lacquer plate with its gallery label on display at museum “明永樂 雕漆剔紅孔雀牡丹紋盤 Dish with peafowls and peonies Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Yongle mark and period (1403-24) Carved red lacquer The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015(2015.500.1.29) The "two birds" design featuring a pair of birds among flowers was a popular motif in Chinese carved lacquer, particularly from the thirteenth to early fifteenth century. On this dish, artisans carved into the surface to reveal two peafowls flying amid lush, blossoming peonies. This design also became standard in other media, such as textiles and ceramics, produced by the imperial workshop of the early Ming dynasty.”
November 25, 2025 at 2:43 AM
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
Resharing for #WorldWalrusDay
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social Art History Animalia @arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social · Feb 19
#TwoForTuesday:
Osuitok Ipeelee (Inuit, 1923 – 2005)
Untitled ( #Walruses ), c. 1977
Steatite, caribou antler; 29.2 x 37.2 x 21.9 cm
Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal inv. 2014.234.1-4 www.mbam.qc.ca/en/works/667...
#IndigenousArt #FirstNationsArt
official museum photo of the object, front profile on grey background: Steatite (soapstone, greenish-brown with darker blackish areas and whitish veins throughout) sculpture of two tusked walruses huddled together, with facial features and flipper details incised
November 25, 2025 at 2:39 AM
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
Resharing for #WorldWalrusDay
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social Art History Animalia @arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social · Nov 24
Happy #WorldWalrusDay!
Egevadluq Ragee (Inuit, 1920-1983)
#Walruses at Play, 1964
Stonecut print, 45/50, 21 x 28.5 in
www.mutualart.com/Artwork/WALR...
#IndigenousArt #NativeAmericanArt #FirstNationsArt
monochrome print in landscape orientation, huddle of five black walruses against plain white background
November 24, 2025 at 11:23 PM
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
Resharing for #WorldWalrusDay
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social Art History Animalia @arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social · May 14
For #ManuscriptMonday / #MedievalMonday : a #walrus, I guess 😂
Cambridge University Library Kk.4.25 (Didactic miscellany, containing a #bestiary and other texts), f. 89r
cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-KK-0...
miniature painting in a medieval manuscript (bestiary), illustration of a marine beast with tusks, not explicitly named in text but likely meant to be a walrus
November 24, 2025 at 11:23 PM
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
Resharing for #WorldWalrusDay
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social Art History Animalia @arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social · Oct 2
#ThreeForThursday :
Pauojoungie Saggiak (Inuit; Iqaluit, NU, b.1959)
Adorned #Walruses
Cape Dorset, 2022
Etching & Aquatint on Arches White paper 61 x 74 cm (24 x 29 in.)
www.dorsetfinearts.com/2022-cape-do...
#InuitArt #FirstNationsArt #IndigenousArt #ContemporaryArt #WomenArtists
illustration of a trio of colorful, patterned walrus heads clustered together on plain white background: red/purple facing left @ top left, green/blue facing right @ top right, yellow/orange facing right @ bottom center
November 24, 2025 at 11:23 PM
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
Resharing for #WorldWalrusDay
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social Art History Animalia @arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social · Nov 24
#WorldWalrusDay :
#Walrus, Plate 12 in British Mammals
Vol. 1 by Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935), London, 1920.
Via BHL: www.flickr.com/photos/biodi...
🚨The Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is a threatened species, currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List: www.iucnredlist.org/species/1510...
color book plate in portrait orientation set in brown paper frame, natural history art / scientific illustration, three brown walruses in Arctic seascape, one in foreground resting on ice and two in background in water
November 24, 2025 at 11:22 PM
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
Resharing for #WorldWalrusDay
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social Art History Animalia @arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social · Jan 12
Levi Qumaluk (Inuit; Nunavik, 1919-1997)
Untitled ( #Walrus ), 1952
Steatite, ivory, 9.4x18.7x19.7cm
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts 1953.Aa.1 www.mbam.qc.ca/en/works/4830/
#IndigenousArt #FirstNationsArt #CanadianArt
Steatite (soapstone) carving in the form of a reclining walrus, with head up looking at viewer; stone is a beautiful green with yellow veins throughout, artist has carved details such as toes, bristles, and nostrils, eyes appear painted, tusks are real ivory
November 24, 2025 at 11:22 PM
arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social
#MonochromeMonday :
Paul Jouve (France, 1878-1973)
Harfang des neiges (Snowy #Owl), 1911
Original lithograph on paper (artist’s proof), 56 x 45 cm
www.pauljouve.com/oeuvres/lith...
#BirdsInArt
monochrome (black ink on off-white paper) lithograph in portrait orientation, illustration of a single snowy owl in full profile facing viewer
November 24, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Reposted by Art History Animalia
thisiscolossal.com
Kate Clements is the artist behind these delicate glass works that explore the nature of fragility.

www.thisiscolossal.com/2025/11/kate...
a detail of a patterned and floral wall artwork by Kate Clements made from kiln-fired glass a patterned and floral wall artwork by Kate Clements made from kiln-fired glass a kiln-fired glass artwork by Kate Clements resembling an insect or abstract shape made with leaves, set against a black background
November 13, 2025 at 6:18 PM