Abstract
Among the sculptures adorning the former building of the Faculties of Medicine and Sciences (1893) in Saragossa (Spain) is one that represents a pterosaur. It is a work by D. Lasuén based on one of the first, but little known, restorations of these animals, drawn and engraved by T. Susemihl more than half a century before. Although it seems out of place, this sculpture was simply seen as a symbol of zoology. We suggest that it may have several significations. Besides embodying the animal kingdom, it may have been a surrogate of the dragon and thus a reference to the House of Aragon through its dragon-slaying holy patron, Saint George.
| Translated title of the contribution | Lasuén's pterodactyl: An early use of a pterosaur in plastic arts |
|---|---|
| Original language | French |
| Pages (from-to) | 245-254 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Comptes Rendus Palevol |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2010 |
Keywords
- Aragon
- History of science
- Lasuén
- Pterosauria
- Spain
- Susemihl