Antonietta Gonzalez print – Ulisse Aldrovandi – 1599 Medieval art
Enter a world of historical intrigue and medical marvel with this remarkable reproduction, the Antonietta Gonzalez print. This powerful image is a faithful reproduction of a Medieval illustration, originally crafted by the esteemed physician Ulisse Aldrovandi. It depicts Antonietta Gonzalez, a twenty-year-old woman whose striking appearance made her a subject of intense fascination and scientific study.
A Glimpse into a Rare Condition
The Antonietta Gonzalez print offers the very first graphic depiction of Hypertrichosis Universalis, an exceptionally rare genetic condition. This disorder leads to an abnormal amount of hair growth across the entire body, famously earning it the moniker “Werewolf Syndrome.”
Its rarity is astonishing; fewer than fifty cases have been documented worldwide since the 16th century. Yet, surprisingly, the condition often presents as hereditary, and Antonietta, along with three of her siblings, inherited it from their father. One historian aptly noted, in terms of pathology, “the Gonzales sisters were one in a billion – all three of them.”
Aldrovandi’s intriguing etching, which forms the basis for this Antonietta Gonzalez print, beautifully captures the 20-year-old Antonietta. He meticulously annotated the illustration with the words: “Mulier viginti annorum hirsuto capite simiam imitating reliquo corpore glabro.” This translates to: “Woman of twenty years at the head, shaggy, like a monkey, and leaving the rest of the body is hairless.”
The intricate details of her flowing hair, almost like a crown, and the carefully rendered features provide a poignant insight into how she was perceived. She is depicted in an expensive gown, adorned with leaves and flowers, further highlighting her unique status.
The Extraordinary Gonzalez Family and the Antonietta Gonzalez Print
The story behind the Antonietta Gonzalez print is deeply intertwined with her family’s extraordinary life. Her father, Pedro Gonzales (or Pedrus Gonsalvus), was born in the 1530s in Tenerife, Canary Islands. Taken as a child to the French court of King Henry II, who famously collected “oddities,” Pedro’s unique appearance captivated European nobility.
He married Catherine, a young Frenchwoman with normal hair, and together they had at least seven children. While their eldest and youngest sons, Paolo and Ercole, and daughter Francesca, were non-hirsute, Pedro’s hypertrichosis was inherited by Madeleine, Henri, Antonietta, and Orazio.
Their physical appearance closely mirrored the medieval “Wild Man” tradition. Aldrovandi himself referred to Pedro as “the man of the woods.” Contemporary European society, though sometimes describing them with terms like “dog-faced girls” and “lion-men,” was utterly fascinated.
Antonietta and her siblings were welcomed into Europe’s courts, receiving considerable attention from physicians and nobles alike. They were subjects of medical investigations and numerous portrait sittings, including the one that inspired the Antonietta Gonzalez print.
A fascinating article from the History Collection website, where much of this information originates, further details their fate. As “property of the Queen,” Pedro and Catherine had no say in their children’s future. The children with hypertrichosis were even sold to other noble families. Despite this, they were treated remarkably well, enjoying high-quality educations, excellent living conditions, and access to the best medical care – a life of luxury far beyond what their humble origins might suggest.
Antonietta herself was given to a noble family in Bologna, Italy. It was here that Dr. Ulisse Aldrovandi visited her, meticulously examining her and sketching her, ultimately producing the artwork from which the Antonietta Gonzalez print is derived.
In a portrait by the artist Lavinia Fontana, Antonietta holds a handwritten note, revealing a piece of her personal history: “Don Pietro, a wild man discovered in the Canary Islands, was conveyed to his most serene highness Henry the King of France, and from there came to his Excellency the Duke of Parma. From whom [came] I, Antonietta, and now I can be found nearby at the court of the Lady Isabella Pallavicina, the honourable Marchesa of Soragna.”
Ulisse Aldrovandi: The Mind Behind the Antonietta Gonzalez Print
Ulisse Aldrovandi, the Italian scholar behind the original Antonietta Gonzalez print, was a true pioneer in natural history. Credited with inspiring the naturalist movement across Northern Italy and Flanders, Aldrovandi masterfully blended scientific accuracy with the prevailing supernatural beliefs of his time.
While meticulously documenting animals and insects, he also conjured images of mythical creatures, reflecting the era’s fascination with the fantastical. Most of his extensive work was published posthumously in 1605, leaving a rich legacy of both scientific observation and captivating imagination. The Antonietta Gonzalez print stands as a powerful testament to his unique contribution to both art and science.
