animals_19_ai_5

What is in this image? Describe it as if you were explaining it to someone from the 15th century.

Behold, an artistic rendering of a fantastical beast. This creature bears a resemblance to a young ox or perhaps a calf, marked with fanciful and irregular spots upon its body; yet, what makes this portrayal unusual is the stylization which might seem playful or whimsical. The beast has a soft expression, with eyes half-shut in a peaceful demeanor and tiny nostrils and a mouth suggesting a gentle nature, unlike any fierce animal. The ears are pointed and upright, adding to its alert appearance. Interestingly, it possesses not the hooves of a typical beast of burden but rather, ends each limb with a shape resembling human hands, a creative liberty surely taken by the artist. Such a depiction would not be thought of as an accurate representation of a known animal but rather, a creature born from the imagination, perhaps reminiscent of the tales shared by storytellers in the market squares.