An exhibition featuring works drawn from our permanent collection.
The emergence of zoos and natural history museums in the 19th century resulted in a growing interest in the animal kingdom.
Artists were also intrigued by the subject, leading to the production of a large number of scenes featuring animals. While some artists harked back to the imposing depictions of famous animal painters such as Paulus Potter, others opted for portrayals of livestock that were not idealised and stayed true to nature.
Animals also created a furore in the world of sculpture. A group of French sculptors known as the animaliers gathered in the Parisian zoo in the Jardin des Plantes. With a strong sense of romanticism, they set to work creating statues of exotic animals.