Studie af isbjørn 1864 - 1941

Niels Larsen Stevns made this pencil drawing of a polar bear as a study, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. It represents both the natural world of the Arctic, and the institutional world of the artist. At this time, the polar bear had become an important cultural symbol in Scandinavia. As these countries asserted their independence and modernity, the bear represented strength and Nordic identity, particularly in Denmark and Norway. It became a popular motif in visual art and design, but was also linked to scientific and geographical exploration. Here, Stevns has captured a sketch of this popular motif in preparation for its eventual inclusion into a painting. The image's simplicity demonstrates the artist’s formal training and technique. Artists like Stevns were part of a professional system of galleries and museums. Understanding the history of these institutions, along with studies of the cultural importance of animals, helps us understand how the image and meaning of the polar bear were constructed at this time.