Small Black Bear

Edward Kemeys, Small Black Bear, ca. 1870-1907, plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of J. Willis Johnson, 1984.141.11
Edward Kemeys, Small Black Bear, ca. 1870-1907, plaster, 4 1⁄4 x 3 1⁄2 x 5 in. (10.8 x 8.9 x 12.7 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of J. Willis Johnson, 1984.141.11
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Small Black Bear
Artist
Date
ca. 1870-1907
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
4 1⁄4 x 3 1⁄2 x 5 in. (10.8 x 8.9 x 12.7 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of J. Willis Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
plaster
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — bear
Object Number
1984.141.11
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.141.11

Artwork Description

Edward Kemeys modeled many sculptures of the black and grizzly bears that he saw on his travels in the American West. He portrayed each animal’s formidable power while also capturing a lighter, more playful side to its character. In this way, Kemeys created a fiction in which wild animals were transformed into approachable, friendly creatures.

Works by this artist (24 items)

View all artworks
Edward Kemeys, Buffalo and Wolves, 1876, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of J. Willis Johnson, 1984.141.2
Buffalo and Wolves
Artist
Date1876
bronze
On view
Edward Kemeys, Grizzly Bear at Bay, 1871-1885, painted plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1895.10.3
Grizzly Bear at Bay
Artist
Date1871-1885
painted plaster
On view
Edward Kemeys, Prairie Chicken, ca. 1870s, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Charlotte J. Patterson and Herbert L. Patterson in memory of Elizabeth Z. Patterson, 2002.78
Prairie Chicken
Artist
Dateca. 1870s
bronze
Not on view
Edward Kemeys, Lion, ca. 1893, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of J. Willis Johnson, 1984.141.5
Lion
Artist
Dateca. 1893
bronze
Not on view

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plaster
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Anthony de Francisci, Pot of Basil, plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Anthony de Francisci, 1966.51.1
Pot of Basil
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Image Not Available
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Hiram Powers, Mold of a Woman's Hand, plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in memory of Ralph Cross Johnson, 1968.155.172
Mold of a Woman’s Hand
Artist
plaster
Not on view