EN 
FR THE GREAT PENGUIN
An artistic and educational creation
Extinct seabird, living memory of the North Atlantic
Discover a creation inspired by the collections of our partner museums.
THE Great Auk, an emblematic bird now extinct, is reborn here in an artistic and sensitive form. Much more than a naturalized specimen, it becomes a poetic figure, a visual memory and a silent witness of the human impact on living things. Through this work, we invite you to take a contemplative and committed look at a forgotten species of the cold northern seas.
This creation is part of our “Museography” collection, designed to extend the emotion of the visit beyond the walls of the museum.
THE collection from the museum
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The Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) fascinates with its imposing stature, contrasting black and white plumage, and inability to fly. Adapted to the cold seas of the North Atlantic, this seabird was an exceptional swimmer, capable of long dives to fish. Extinct since the 19th century, it remains a prominent figure in the world of extinct fauna. Through this page, rediscover it as an object of study, emotion, and artistic inspiration.
Did you know? A species that is a victim of its own calm
The Great Auk nested in dense colonies on isolated islands, with little fear of humans. This docility facilitated massive hunting, particularly for its eggs, fat, and feathers. The species became extinct within just a few decades. Its last refuge was Iceland, where the last two known individuals were killed in 1844.
Today, it symbolizes both lost wild beauty and the urgency to preserve what remains.
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