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History of Modern Zoological Gardens
from the 17th to the Early 20th Century
Korean Minjok Leadership Academy
International Program
Chung, Sangyun
Term Paper, AP European History Class, December 2007
Table of Contents
I. General Concepts - Definition, Creation and Influential Thoughts
II. Zoological Gardens from the 17th to the 18th Century
II.1 The Beginning of the Modern Zoological Garden - The Menagerie du Parc
II.2 The Spread of Modern Zoological Gardens in Europe
II.3 Access to the General Public
II.4 Artists' and Scholars' Interest
II.5 The Deterioration of Royal Zoological Gardens
III. Zoological Gardens from the 19th to the Early 20th Century
III.1 The Archetype of the Public Zoological Garden - The Jardin des Plantes
III.2 The Re-Spread of Zoological Gardens in Europe
III.3 Zoological Societies
IV. Human Zoos
V. Conclusion
VI. Bbliography
I. General Concepts - Definition, Creation and Influential Thoughts
Zoological gardens, or zoos in short, have a long history which goes back to approximately 2000 years ago.
However, it takes a lot of time for zoological gardens to resemble those of today, which we call modern
zoological gardens. The early modern zoological gardens started to emerge during the 17th century, and
they were different in shape and purpose compared to the recent ones. When the first modern zoological
gardens established, unlike those of today, there were only a small number of them, their size were small,
and used not for educational or scientific uses, but rather for noblemen¡¯s fulfillment of curiosity or for
sideshows at the circus.
Early modern zoological gardens can be divided into two groups ? zoological gardens themselves and menageries.
Although nowadays people do not particularly distinguish the differences between menageries and zoological
gardens, menageries are rather smaller in size, and were originally made for amusement and attraction at a
circus or in a small park. Compared chronologically, menageries appeared about 100 years earlier than
zoological gardens.
The establishment of modern zoological gardens was strongly influenced by Colonialism and Absolutism.
Since many countries in Europe started to conduct Colonialism outside the continent approximately from 15th
century, they could discover new continents including Africa, colonize the countries, and bring the exotic
animals from there to make a small exhibition at noble¡¯s houses. Absolutism also brought a great influence
on the creation of zoological gardens. The menagerie in the Versailles, established by Louis XIV, could be
the main example. In the time of Louis XIV when Absolutism flourished, not only magnificent palaces like
the Versailles but also diverse entertainments were made for the noblemen, including menageries developed
in Zoological gardens. Overall, in the creation of modern zoological gardens, Colonialism provided resources
and Absolutism provided financial support.
Most of the early modern zoological gardens flourished mainly in Western Europe; France had the earliest
historically recognized one, followed by Germanic lands, although many places, including a number of private
villas in Italy, also kept wild animals within their territory before France had.
II. Zoological Gardens from the 17th to the 18th Century
II.1 The Beginning of the Modern Zoological Garden - The Menagerie du Parc
Although there were a number of places where exotic animals from outside Europe are kept during the 17th
century, Menagerie du Parc, a menagerie in Versailles created by Louis XIV, is considered as the beginning
of the modern zoological garden. After inheriting Louis XIII's hunting lodge and some animals in 1660, Louis
XIV built royal gardens there, and his menagerie, constructed under the direction of the architect Louis Le
Vau in 1664, was one of those gardens that were built for more frequent visits to his palace. With its Baroque
style, the Menagerie du Parc attracted nobles who visited Versailles, thus fulfilling Louis XIV¡¯¡¯s purpose of
making a menagerie, which was to celebrate his glory.
II.2 The Spread of Modern Zoological Gardens in Europe
The construction of menagerie in Versailles influenced other countries in Europe, especially in the German
lands, where gardens in the style of architect Le Notre started to emerge in the 1690s. During the early 18th
century, Prince Eugene of Savoy mainly contributed in building Belvedere Castle in Schloss in Germany, and
established a menagerie in there. Another example can be the Schönbrunn Castle near Vienna, which
was enlarged from 1744 by an order of Emperor Francis I. In there, Tiergarten Schönbrunn was built in
1752 by the French architect Jadot de Ville-Issey on the border between the gardens and the park. Unlike
Versailles, the gardens at Schönbrunn Castle, including the menagerie, were redone in a Rococo style
by leaving more rooms and having various elements than Versailles did.
II.3 Access to the General Public
When the early menageries were opened, public access was limited, except for the aristocratic nobles who
maintained friendly relationships with the owners. However, as the owners craved for more power towards
the society, good appearance was needed; hence, menageries started to make their private menageries and
modern zoological gardens more public, granting more access to the public to visit their gardens. While
most of the menageries and zoological gardens that were erected before the mid 18th century stayed as
private gardens for a long time, zoos that were constructed after the end of the 17th century didn't take long
time to convert into public zoological gardens. Tiergarten Schönbrunn for instance, which was opened in
1752, became public in 1779. However, until the 19th century, many menageries did not grant access to the public.
II.4 Artists' and Scholars' Interest
The developments of menageries and early modern zoological gardens not only attracted nobles and public,
but also intrigued a lot of artists at that time. During the 17th and 18th century, Baroque and Rococo style
were dominant over the artistic world, and the construction of zoos itself was influenced by these revolutionary
styles. The point is that artists at that time were interested in exotic animals in zoological gardens at that time;
they were useful as a model when painting mythic paintings, decorating buildings, and sketching book
illustrations. Although exotic animals existed in paintings and works that were created before modern
zoological gardens were erected, kinds of animals in paintings and works increased and improved after
modern zoological gardens were created.
Scholars of the 17th and 18th century, mainly naturalists, were also interested in these exotic animals, for
they were able to correct the incorrectness of information about animals outside Europe depicted by explorers,
seamen, and missionaries. This way of thinking was reinforced during the Scientific Revolution. As direct
observations became possible, they were able to pick the wrong fabrications of literature and such, and see
the real examples of the exotic animals. However, due to the rarity of specimens and restricted views in the
modern zoological gardens at that time, scholars had to wait for existing materials until 18th and 19th century,
when public views were allowed and kinds of specimen increased.
II.5 The Deterioration of Royal Zoological Gardens
However, not every menagerie flourished forever. Menagerie du Parc, for instance, started to deteriorate as
its owners stopped caring. After the death of Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI paid little attention towards
Menagerie du Parc, especially Louis XV, who never visited it. Investment started to lack, budget for the
menagerie was reduced, and future plans were postponed. Moreover, despite noble¡¯s little attention given
during the mid 18th century, Menagerie du Parc finally went downfall after the royal family departed because
of the French Revolution; by of this, many animals in the royal menagerie disappeared, skinned, and killed.
This brought the deterioration of the princely menageries and lead the introduction of the public zoos, which
started to flourish from the 19th century.
III. Zoological Gardens fronm the 19th to the Early 20th Century
III.1 The Archetype of the Public Zoological Garden - The Jardin des Plantes
During the Enlightenment, people started to oppose to menageries that served for nobles only. People at that
time were outraged by how much money was spent on maintaining the menageries, while many of the people
were dying. Because of this, many princely menageries disappeared and deteriorated like Menagerie du Parc
during the French Revolution, and new type of zoological garden was formed; zoological garden not only for
nobles, but also for public and scholarly uses. Hence, in 1794, Jardin des Plantes was erected, supported by
many naturalists. The Jardin des Plantes, which was formerly known as the Jardin du Roi, a royal garden,
was different than former menageries and zoological gardens in that its establishment was intended to
serve the entire nation with educational and scientific uses rather than for the amusement of a few privileged
people. This intention of making nationwide public zoo spread out from France to other countries, with the
model of Jardin des Plantes standing as the 'standard prototype'; United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium and
German states were among the first to introduce this new model of zoological garden.
III.2 The Re-Spread of Zoological Gardens in Europe
In 1828, London Zoo in the United Kingdom was formed mainly for the collection of educational and scientific
study by Zoological Society of London, which eventually intrigued the rapid emerging of zoological gardens in
countries in Europe. Since the United Kingdom also opposed to princely menageries during the 18th century
by naturalists and theorists, including William Kent, it is not very surprising to see zoological gardens which
were made for scientific studies such as those in London (1828), Dublin (1831), Bristol (1835), and Manchester
(1836). All of them were accessible to public. United Kingdom was also the first country to root the term
'Zoological gardens', zoos in short; those made before 19th century were known as early modern zoological
gardens or menageries, smaller in size. Succeeding the United Kingdom, Netherlands and Belgium took the
second wave, mainly between the 1830s and 1860s; Amsterdam (1838), Antwerp (1843), Brussels (1851),
Ghent (1851), and Rotterdam (1857). France, during the middle 19th century, came back with renovated
zoological gardens, such as those in Marseilles (I1854), and Paris (the gardens in the Bois du Boulogne, 1860).
The fourth wave came from German states, which formed themselves into a federation in the late 19th century.
During the 1860s and 1880s, zoos in the German states flourished noticeably; Berlin (1844), Cologne (1860),
Dresden (1861), Stuttgart (1870), Düsseldorf (1874), and many others. These zoological gardens made during
the 19th century shows that zoological gardens were built without discriminating the region; They were built
in capitals, industrial working places, trading towns, and dwelling areas.
These influences of spreading zoological gardens started to spread to the outside of the Western Europe. Other
countries' capitals like Copenhagen (1859), Moscow (1863), Budapest (1865), Stockholm (1883), Rome (1910),
Warsaw (1911), etc. This spread of zoological garden was so rapid and extensive, mainly due to the competition
between nations. Also, it was a sign of urban elitism, which saw zoological gardens as important tools that could
furnish the city like other entertainments at that time, such as theatres and museums. Actually, building
zoological gardens was a part of a pan-European movement involving the foundation of libraries, museums,
academies, etc; it was directly influenced by Industrial Revolution.
III.3 Zoological Societies
Local governments never directly participated in the development of the zoological gardens except Jardin des
Plantes in France. Most of them were developed by the fund raised from donations and annual gatherings of
Zoological Societies, which mainly started in London. In London, London Zoological Society made several
different contributions to zoological gardens, which were led by a council that had executive powers and the
rights to direct the gardens. Every society had varying objectives; dedicating for the development of science,
for the experiments in domestication, for the access of nature, and for introducing science to the public in
an easy way.
IV. Human Zoos
As time passed, zoological gardens underwent various changes; one of the most significant changes was the
emergence of human zoos, or ethnological zoos. During the 19th century, public exhibitions of humans from
outside Europe started to emerge, and in the 1870s, exhibitions of 'exotic humans' became widespread and
gained popularity.
Human zoos mainly featured Negroes, including other races such as Indians, Inuit, Samoans, Nubians.
Many of them were physically disabled, thus attracting more attention. In human zoos, there were no
exceptions in age and sex of 'exotic humans' for being exhibited; plus, they were usually treated with an
inhumane way, such as being naked and putting into cages for exhibition. However, after the beginning of
the 20th century, these human zoos were widely criticized for its scientific racism, and after the two
World Wars, most of human zoos were completely vanished; yet, the concept itself of human zoos still
exists today in the form of freak sideshows of the circuses and displays of human beings that held in
public zoos, though this time it was made by volunteering.
V. Conclusion
Over time, zoological gardens developed from small menageries of the nobles to the enormous public
exhibitions; many concepts and incidents of history, such as Colonialism, Absolutism, Naturalism,
Enlightenment, French Revolution, and Industrial Revolution dedicated to the development of the zoological
gardens.
Nowadays, Zoological gardens are primarily recognized as an educational and entertaining place. Most
of the zoological gardens are public nowadays; as various zoos started to emerge in everywhere in the
world with new technology, zoological gardens are considered as a common place where everybody could
enjoy. And still, further developments are being held in every zoo in the world.
VI. Bibliography
Note : websites quoted below were visited in December 2007.
1. ZOO ? A history of zoological gardens in the west, Eric Baratay & Elisabeth Haradouin-Fugier,
Rekation Books, 2002
2. Article Zoo, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Micropaedia, Book 12, p.932, 15th edition, 1998
3. Article : Zoo, from Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoo#History
4. Article : Human Zoo, from Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_zoo
5. Article : Menagerie, from Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menagerie
6. Article : Zoological gardens, from
1911 Encyclopedia (Britannica, 1911 edition), http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Zoological_Gardens
7. Article : Tiergarten Schönbrunn, from
Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiergarten_Sch%C3%B6nbrunn#History
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