Studies of a Recumbent Polar Bear, John Macallan Swan, 1903

Studies of a Recumbent Polar Bear, John Macallan Swan, 1903

pastels, on brown paper, h 24cm × w 36cm More details

Drawing living animals requires the patience of a saint. The British artist Johan Macallan Swan could wait hours for the animal to assume the desired pose. The second it did, he would dash off a quick sketch before the animal moved again. This polar bear, however, must have stayed still for some time. The artist was able to accurately study its thick coat.