This cotton fabric printed in monochrome reflects the 19th-century taste for zoological gardens. The original purpose of menageries was to keep exotic animals in captivity for the pleasure of visitors and to glorify the monarch. As scientific interest in animals increased towards the end of the 18th century, professional zoologists began to set up zoos. Most of them had a restaurant or café where cultural events were held to attract visitors, and they soon became sociable gathering places.