Zoo : a history of zoological gardens in the West / Eric Baratay, Elisabeth Hardouin-Fugier.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Baratay, Éric.

Contributor:

Hardouin-Fugier, Elisabeth.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Zoos--History.

Zoos.

Zoo animals--Behavior.

Zoo animals.

Zoology.

History.

Physical Description:

400 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

London : Reaktion, 2002.

Summary:

Wild animals have fascinated human observers since time immemorial. The story of our interest in collecting, classifying and dominating Nature looms large; thus it is surprising that the history of menageries, zoological gardens and zoos as we know them today has been so poorly documented. This gap is addressed by "Zoo." In the Renaissance, wealthy aristocrats showcased exotic beasts in private menageries. Safely caged, animals inspired the interest of naturalists and fed the curiosity of the masses. By the 19th century, increased urbanization and colonization aided the expansion of zoos in which animals were tamed to serve as domesticated livestock. Nowadays, with many natural habitats under threat of extinction, the social function of zoos is less clear. Such institutions both present the illusion of wild animals in a natural state to a nostalgic public and find themselves justifying their existence as saviors of endangered species.

Contents:

Introduction: the Call of the Wild 7

1 The Passion for Collecting (1500s to 1700s) 15

1 Ancient Trophies 17

2 The Aristocracy's New-found Curiosity 29

3 Baroque Scenography 43

4 Popular Pleasures 55

2 The Need for Control (1800s) 71

5 The Elite and the Invention of the Zoo 73

6 Imperial Glory 113

7 The Exploitation of Nature 131

8 The Thrill of the Wild 147

3 The Yearning for Nature (1900s) 199

9 A Public Quest 201

10 The Illusion of Liberty 237

11 The Imitation of Nature 265

4 Zoos Through the Ages 283

5 Artists and the Zoo 339.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1861891113

OCLC:

48837034