In the Renaissance, kings and dukes, wealthy merchants and rich scholars developed a passion for collecting and studying exotic objects, animals and – sometimes – human beings. Prepare to be amazed as we unlock cabinets of curiosities and study prints and paintings that capture Europeans’ fascination for magical things from the ‘age of discovery’.

Be they animal, vegetable or mineral, rare and beautiful items from Africa and South America were valuable commodities as well as objects of wonder. The commercial aspects of this passion for unicorn horns, coral amulets, mermaid skeletons, mysterious fossils, and such like, will be included alongside close examination of the photographs, maps, prints and paintings that record them.