The Display of the Elephant
1751
oil
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
1751
oil
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
The Display of the Elephant is a 1751 oil by Pietro Longhi, a Rococo painting work, held at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
This painting depicts a large elephant standing on a raised platform, surrounded by a group of people in 18th-century attire. The elephant is dark gray with a long, curved tusk and a raised trunk. It faces right, with its eyes looking forward. The people, dressed in various colors, are engaged in different activities, such as pointing at the elephant or sitting on a bench. The background is a light-colored wall. In the foreground, a man in a blue coat and hat points at the elephant, while another man sits on a bench, looking up at the elephant. The atmosphere appears to be one of curiosity and fascination. To learn more about the artist behind this intriguing scene, explore the works of Pietro Longhi.
