Pelicans in Artis Zoo, Jan van Essen, 1880
The Amsterdam artist Jan van Essen took the tram daily to Artis to study the animals. He was especially fond of the lions and large birds, such as pelicans, vultures and marabous. The sketches he made on the spot served as models in composing his paintings. He also derived inspiration from the work of the British artist and sculptor John Macallan Swan.