Renaissance bestiary concept
An old notebook from Renaissance Italy shows an interesting study by an unknown artist, who discovered different fossils and associated them with beings from classical Greco-Roman mythology, trying to give them a scientific explanation.
Although the interpretation of mythological animals was erroneous, the artist's sketchbook and annotations helped the classification of new prehistoric species never before seen in the fossil record of the region of Italy.
Studies on fossils of "clawed wings", giving the supposed artist the idea of the existence of birds with sharp wings, as in the legends of the Birds of Lake Stymphalus.
In this way, the anatomy of birds from the region (Italy) was studied and a reinterpretation of the natural shape of a bird with sharp wings was created.
In this way, the anatomy of birds from the region (Italy) was studied and a reinterpretation of the natural shape of a bird with sharp wings was created.
Studies on fossils of "large jaws", giving the supposed artist the idea of the existence of dragons in the region, taking as reference the texts that described large serpentine reptiles.
In this way he studied the anatomy of lizards with extended bodies and tails from the region (Italy) and created a reinterpretation of the natural form of an elongated, almost serpentine dragon.
In this way he studied the anatomy of lizards with extended bodies and tails from the region (Italy) and created a reinterpretation of the natural form of an elongated, almost serpentine dragon.
Studies on fossils of "giant tusks", giving the supposed artist the idea of the existence of the famous Erymanthian Boar in mythology.
In this way, the anatomy of wild boars from the region (Italy) was studied and a reinterpretation of the natural shape of a wild pig with giant tusks and enormous hooves was created.
In this way, the anatomy of wild boars from the region (Italy) was studied and a reinterpretation of the natural shape of a wild pig with giant tusks and enormous hooves was created.
Studies on fossils of "Giant Antlers", giving the supposed artist the idea of the existence of the creature known as Tarand in mythology.
In this way he studied the anatomy of deer from the region (Italy) and created a reinterpretation of the natural shape of a giant deer with strange and large antlers.
In this way he studied the anatomy of deer from the region (Italy) and created a reinterpretation of the natural shape of a giant deer with strange and large antlers.
Studies on fossils of "tusks and antlers together", giving the supposed artist the idea of the existence of the strange creature known as Odontotyrannus in mythology.
In this way, he studied the anatomy of carnivores such as foxes and goats from the mountains of the region (Italy) and created an approximation of a chimeric creature that brings together aspects of different real animals from the region.
In this way, he studied the anatomy of carnivores such as foxes and goats from the mountains of the region (Italy) and created an approximation of a chimeric creature that brings together aspects of different real animals from the region.
