King Louis XV's iconic Indian rhinoceros makes its way to London’s museum

The fascinating story of King Louis XV's iconic Indian rhinoceros, a symbol of the French monarchy's power and influence, is coming to life at the Science Museum in London. 

King Louis XV's rhinoceros was the center of attention at the court of Versailles. Fed a diet of bread, its tough hide was often massaged with oil. However, it proved difficult to manage and tragically killed two individuals who ventured into its enclosure, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Now, the majestic creature, preserved and stuffed, has left Paris for the first time since its arrival in 1770. It is currently on display at the Science Museum in London.

“We are very excited to see it here,” curator Glyn Morgan said this weekend. “It looks fantastic. The photographs really didn’t do justice to just how impressive and characterful it is. The skin is almost jet black.”

This remarkable specimen is a lasting reminder of a period known as "rhinomania," which swept across Europe in the late 18th century, inspiring clocks, decorations, and even wigs styled in the image of the animal.

One thing the display has already revealed to Morgan is that it would never have been possible for a human to ride the rhino without a specially designed saddle, like the one controversially featured in the new Gladiator II film. “The rhino’s back is far too wide, and it would not be advisable to try, in any case,” he remarked.

The French king’s rhinoceros, which met a violent end, will be one of the main highlights of the museum’s upcoming major exhibition, Versailles: Science and Splendour, opening next week. The exhibition will explore the various animals collected from around the world and housed at the Versailles zoo. These animals were brought to France to showcase the king's power and global influence.

“It’s significant that it’s an Indian rhino, as that reflects Louis XV’s geopolitical display of power,” Morgan explained. “However, as it was studied by scientists, it became vital to our expanding zoological knowledge.” 

The male rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) lived alone in a fenced enclosure in the Royal Ménagerie, complete with a small pool, and quickly became one of the most renowned residents of Paris. A gift from Jean-Baptiste Chevalier, the French governor of Chandernagore, it was transported by boat, making a 10-month journey before reaching Versailles. Departing Calcutta, West Bengal on December 22, 1769, it arrived in Lorient, Brittany on June 11, 1770.

By Naila Huseynova