The Majestic and Graceful Giraffes, or Cameleopards, with some Rare Animals of the Gazelle Species

Edward Williams Clay|Henry R. Robinson

1838 · Lithograph · Drawings and Prints

This elegant image was created as an announcement for an exhibition of animals-a gemsbok, an eland, a bontebok, a syrian goat and its kid, and two giraffes-that took place on Broadway near Broome Street in 1838. According to the accompanying text, the animals were captured in South Africa and brought to New York by John Clayton, who signed the print in black ink at the bottom. Clay, a Philadelphia native who moved to New York in 1837, was best known for his political caricatures but also created more naturalistic lithographs like this one. The keeper who tends the animals wears a turban and tunic over loose trousers, associated with North Africa or Turkey.

Artist

Edward Williams Clay|Henry R. Robinson

Date

1838

Medium

Lithograph

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

The Edward W. C. Arnold Collection of New York Prints, Maps and Pictures, Bequest of Edward W. C. Arnold, 1954