Five hundred years ago, Europe saw its first rhinoceros in more than a thousand years.
The animal was fairly common during Roman times seen in circuses and gladiatorial events.
The Sultan refused but to ease tension, gifted him the rhinoceros from his own menagerie.
The rhino caused a sensation and attracted crowds of curious onlookers.
Many scholars came to examine and admire the beast.
Letters describing the fantastic creature were dispatched to correspondents throughout Europe.
A description of the rhinoceros soon reached Nuremberg, along with a rough sketch of the animal.
But Durers representation of the rhinoceros was not anatomically correct.
He put armor like plates on the animals body, complete with rivets along the seams.
He placed a small twisted horn on its back and gave the animal scaly legs.
The ribbed mid-section, knobby skin and soft, hairy ears are remarkably accurate.
The degree of detail was surprising given that Durer had not actually seen the animal.
Durers woodcut was eventually reprinted some 4,000 to 5,000 timesan impressive number considering the era when this happened.
It was probably one of the first mass-produced image and the very first one that went viral.
Clara the rhinoceros spent 17 years touring Europe in the mid-18th century.
As this painting suggests, by then many Europeans had a fairly accurate idea of the animals anatomy.
The Fate of King Manuels rhinoceros
What happened to the original, King Manuels rhinoceros?
It died, of course, but not of old age.
Bound in shackles, the rhinoceros drowned while others swam to safety.
The carcass of the rhinoceros was recovered and its hide was returned to Lisbon.
Some say it was sent to Rome.
