Hanno, The Pope’s Leo X Elephant

'Hanno, The Pope’s Leo X Elephant' depicts the notable white elephant gifted to Pope Leo X by King Manuel I of Portugal. Named Annon and Hanno, after the Malayalam word for elephant, he arrived in Rome in 1514 and became the Pope's favorite animal. Created as an Animal painting during the High renaissance period, the artwork captures Hanno in a lively, detailed scene. Skilled with Pen and Ink, the artist applied meticulous ink strokes, conveying both the animal’s majesty and humor. Hanno's tragically brief life ended two years later after a treatment for constipation with a gold-enriched laxative.