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Medieval art is a treasure trove of weirdness. And we’re not the only ones to think so. Daniel Holland created a Twitter thread about medieval animals in paintings that look nothing like real animals because the artist hadn’t actually seen them. The thread went viral and loads of people are now experiencing the joys of drawings in bestiaries based on hearsay, unbridled imagination, and interesting stylistic choices.

Upvote your fave peculiar medieval beats, dear Pandas, and let us know which illustrations you loved the most and why. When you’re done enjoying these paintings, check out our posts about unexpected and creative medieval art right here, here, and here.

Daniel told Bored Panda that he was inspired to create the thread after seeing a segment in the TV show ‘Horrible Histories’ about inaccurate medieval art. This got him thinking what other examples were out there. Daniel was pleasantly surprised by the amount of attention the pictures got. Read on for the rest of his insights.

More info: Twitter | Instagram | DannyDutch.com

#1

Medieval Animal Mystery

Medieval painting of an oyster resembling a bird, showcasing artists’ attempts to paint animals they never saw.

DannyDutch Report

Mike Crow
Community Member
6 years ago

Could this be the first documentation of angry birds?

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    #2

    Old School Rhino Vibes

    17th century medieval painting of a rhinoceros showing animal art attempts by painters who never saw the real creature.

    DannyDutch Report

    Shinobi Shabby
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This on is pretty good for an artist who has never seen one

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    #3

    Medieval Creature Mix-Up

    Medieval painters' attempt at depicting a snail with a strange animal-like face, circa 1350, in humorous medieval art style.

    DannyDutch Report

    Tiny Dynamine
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    How can he have never seen a snail? His name is Dutch or Flemish, i.e. rain.

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    #4

    Medieval Sea Life Misinterpretation

    Medieval painters' humorous attempt to depict a whale with two-headed sailors in a wooden boat on stylized waves.

    DannyDutch Report

    DragonOfTheKitchenTable
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    It's......a green scaly dog...I think?

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    #5

    When Your Art Misses the Mark

    Medieval painters' humorous attempt to depict a leopard from the Aberdeen Bestiary with inaccurate animal features.

    DannyDutch Report

    tuzdayschild
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Someone gave this poor creature a glimpse into the year 2020.

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    #6

    Medieval Beast Misfire

    Medieval painters' attempt to depict a hippopotamus without reference, showcasing humorous animal art from c.1350.

    DannyDutch Report

    True Blue
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    "I can see the resemblance" Said no one ever

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    #7

    Medieval Monster Vibes

    Medieval painter's attempt at a crocodile showing odd animal anatomy and style from the 13th century manuscript illustration.

    DannyDutch Report

    Hanni
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    Why does it have male AND female genitalia?

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    #8

    Medieval Animal Mix-Up

    Medieval painters' attempts to paint animals they never saw, featuring a blue elephant and oddly shaped boars.

    DannyDutch Report

    David K
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    "So...you´re telling me that there is this elephasomething animal that grows size of a house?" "Yes, my liege, we saw them many." "Nah, it can´t be. Johnson, draw it half a horse and look like a mix of a wolf, a boar and a trombone." "Like this, sir?" "Righte."

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    #9

    Medieval Mashup Magic

    Medieval painters' attempt to paint an owl with a human face showing unique and humorous animal illustrations.

    DannyDutch Report

    DragonOfTheKitchenTable
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    wait, it has a beak AND a mouth???

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    #10

    Medieval Mashup Creature

    Medieval painters' humorous attempt to depict a beaver with a fish tail in an ancient illustrated manuscript.

    DannyDutch Report

    tuzdayschild
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This is not a beaver, it's a weaselfish. Trust me, they do not make good pets.

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    #11

    Medieval Animal Mashup

    Medieval painters' attempt to depict an earless elephant with a castle on its back in a humorous animal illustration.

    DannyDutch Report

    Torchicachu
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    also look at those mud boots they gave it. very fasionable

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    #12

    Medieval Beast Confusion

    Medieval painting showing a knight on horseback and a blue animal resembling a tiger, illustrating artistic attempts without real animal references.

    DannyDutch Report

    pei meow
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    ah, the blue spotted tiger

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    #13

    Medieval Animal Mashup

    Medieval painters' humorous attempt to depict an elephant with a twisted trunk resembling a tornado.

    DannyDutch Report

    Titas Burinskas
    BoredPanda Staff
    6 years ago

    Nice shoes, tornadophant

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    #14

    Beaver Art Gone Wild

    Medieval painter Edward Topsell's 1658 inaccurate beaver drawing showing amusing animal depiction without real reference.

    DannyDutch Report

    Tiny Dynamine
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    "And his balls, man... his balls were big!" - "And you say he was wearing a trenchcoat?" - "Yeah, totally."

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    #15

    Medieval Creature Misfire

    Medieval painters' attempt to depict a crocodile without seeing the animal, featuring a humorous and inaccurate design from 1658.

    DannyDutch Report

    Dana
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    It kind of looks like a Komodo dragon

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    #16

    Medieval Animal Oddities

    Medieval painters' humorous attempts to depict animals in early 13th-century artwork with unusual and imaginative features.

    DannyDutch Report

    kjorn
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    wich is the lion and wich is the bear? hard to tell

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    #17

    Medieval Creature Mashup

    Medieval painters' attempt to depict a crocodile with cougar head in a humorous, inaccurate animal illustration.

    DannyDutch Report

    David K
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    And he can apparently walk on water. By the way, is it a brocolli tree in the background?

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