Exotica and Europe

Europe's fascination with exotic flora and fauna, particularly during the 17th century, was driven by rigorous scientific inquiry and global trade. The study highlights how France aimed to establish Paris as a leading center for natural history research through institutions like the Jardin du Roi, inspired by successful models in Padua and Pisa. Concurrently, European banking houses and trading companies facilitated the movement of exotic specimens, spices, and textiles from distant lands, catering to both private collectors and royal patrons. The Dutch, notably, positioned exotica as a symbol of luxury accessible to non-royal individuals, fostering a market for these wonders through ports like Antwerp and Amsterdam. This chapter underscores the intersection of science, commerce, and cultural exchange in shaping Europe's engagement with global biodiversity.

Foster, K. P. (2020). Exotica and Europe. Strange and Wonderful, 77–109. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190672539.003.0005