Monstrorum Historia

Woodcut illustrations from Aldrovandi's 'History of Monsters'



16th century woodcut of monster by Aldronvandi
Capreolus Polyceros



16th century woodcut of monster by Aldronvandi
Monstrum triceps capite Vulpis, Draconis, & Aquilae



16th century woodcut of monster by Aldronvandi
Monstrum tetrachiron alatum capite humano aurito



16th century woodcut of monster by Aldronvandi
Orobonis Piscis effigies



16th century woodcut of monster by Aldronvandi
Camphurch effigies



16th century woodcut of monster by Aldronvandi
Homo Fanesius auritus



16th century woodcut of monster by Aldronvandi
Icon Monstrosae cuiusdam Chimaerae



16th century woodcut of monster by Aldronvandi
Monstrum alatum, & cornutum instar Cacodaemonis



16th century woodcut of monster by Aldronvandi
Pseudophyseter



16th century woodcut of monster by Aldronvandi
Monstrum Marinum rudimenta habitus Episcopi referens



16th century woodcut of monster by Aldronvandi
Equus marinus monstrosus



16th century woodcut of monster by Aldronvandi
Aper Marinus Cetaceus



16th century woodcut of monster by Aldronvandi
Canis monstroso capite



16th century woodcut of monster by Aldronvandi
Monstra Niliaca Parei



16th century woodcut of seamonster by Aldronvandi
Infans [..]^, cum promuscide, & capitibus animalium



16th century woodcut of sea monster by Aldronvandi
Monstrosus Sur marinus



16th century woodcut of marine monster by Aldronvandi
Draco marinus monophthalmos bipes



16th century woodcut of chicken monster by Aldronvandi
Gallus Indicus auritus tridactylus



16th century woodcut of giant chicken monster by Aldronvandi
Gallus monstrosus



16th century woodcut of monster by Aldronvandi
Monstrum cornutum, and alatum aliud



16th century woodcut of monster by Aldronvandi
Monstrum hermaphroditicum pedibus aquilinis



To quote myself..
"Ulissi Aldrovandi (Aldrovandus) (1522-1605) graduated from Padua and Bologna Universities with degrees in law, philosophy and medicine and taught logic to supplement the occasional patronage bestowed on him by his cousin, the Pope.

During nearly a year of confinement in Rome while fighting a heresy charge, Aldrovandi developed a strong interest in the natural world. He began to collect all manner of specimens which apparently came to constitute a formidable natural history museum for those that visited him.

He travelled quite a bit in his quest for specimens and recorded his observations in some 4000 manuscripts, a number of which were published during his lifetime. His writings include studies in ornithology, medicine, hydrology, zoology, botany and, as can be imagined from the embellished and fantastical images here, a paper on mythical creatures as well (among others).

Aldrovandi was instrumental in establishing the botanical gardens in Bologna and his alma mater there awarded him the first Professorial chair in natural science."

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