A sketch of a bear 1913

Curator: Welcome. Here we have John William Waterhouse's "A sketch of a bear," likely from August 1913. It’s rendered in pencil and watercolor. Editor: Aww, it looks like he's contemplating the universe, or maybe just his own fuzzy paw! There’s something endearing about it. It’s quite an informal portrait, but feels so emotionally rich. Curator: Precisely. Note the use of line. Waterhouse outlines the figure loosely in pencil, capturing the essence of the animal’s form, but the details of the fur and depth of form are realised through delicate washes of watercolour, building up layers of tone. Editor: It feels unfinished in places – sketch is a good name for it! You can see those initial pencil lines ghosting underneath. I love that! You get a glimpse into the artist’s process, the way they feel about what they draw. Curator: It offers insight into his artistic method, certainly. But beyond that, there's the composition itself. The bear's hunched posture creates a compact, almost self-contained form, with its head lowered towards its paw drawing attention to the interplay between light and shadow across its form. Editor: That posture just melts my heart, it evokes such a strong sense of loneliness or maybe peaceful contemplation? I’d like to believe in peaceful contemplation. What do you make of its expression? Those eyes. It isn't quite realism, but there is a raw presence that emerges from the sketch nonetheless. Curator: The eyes possess depth thanks to careful detailing; this is not the complete photorealistic portrait, but certainly more refined than any rudimentary outline. Editor: Ultimately, what makes this piece engaging to me is that sense of unfinished tenderness. Like catching a private moment of the natural world on paper. Curator: A fitting description, I would argue. Waterhouse successfully juxtaposes precision of form with emotional sensitivity, resulting in something both simple and thought provoking. Editor: Yes, definitely an image I'll carry with me! The balance of technique and expressiveness.