Polar Bear Standing

Albert Laessle, Polar Bear Standing, ca. 1916, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.87
Albert Laessle, Polar Bear Standing, ca. 1916, bronze on marble base, 3 3⁄8 x 4 5⁄8 x 2 3⁄8 in. (8.5 x 11.7 x 6.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.87

Artwork Details

Title
Polar Bear Standing
Artist
Founder
Roman Bronze Works
Date
ca. 1916
Location
Dimensions
3 3⁄8 x 4 5⁄8 x 2 3⁄8 in. (8.5 x 11.7 x 6.1 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze on marble base
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — bear
  • Study — sculpture model
Object Number
1972.167.87
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1972.167.87

Artwork Description

Albert Laessle enjoyed working with animals so much that he eventually bought a studio in the country where he could keep his own. His subject matter was not always taken as seriously as that of other sculptors; even as an animal sculptor his choice of insects, lizards, frogs, and snails was uncommon among professional sculptors of his day. But it is precisely that uncommon element that makes Laessle’s work special and continues to give it a unique, imaginative spark. Unlike some artists who chose to sculpt animals for their decorative value, Laessle chose them for their expressive potential.

Works by this artist (33 items)

View all artworks
Albert Laessle, First Step, 1909, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.91
First Step
Artist
Date1909
bronze on marble base
On view
Albert Laessle, La Source, 1909, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.94
La Source
Artist
Date1909
bronze on marble base
On view
Albert Laessle, Crawling Squirrel, ca. 1916, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.83
Crawling Squirrel
Artist
Dateca. 1916
bronze on marble base
On view
Albert Laessle, Rabbit Leaping, ca. 1916, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.88
Rabbit Leaping
Artist
Dateca. 1916
bronze on marble base
On view

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Paul Manship, Study for Venus Anadyomene, 1924, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.57
Study for Venus Anadyomene
Artist
Date1924
bronze on marble base
On view
Paul Manship, Pygmalion and Galatea, 1963, gilded bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.85
Pygmalion and Galatea
Artist
Date1963
gilded bronze on marble base
Not on view
Albert Laessle, Performing Bear, ca. 1916-1920, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.86
Performing Bear
Artist
Dateca. 1916-1920
bronze on marble base
Not on view
Moses Wainer Dykaar, General George Owen Squier, 1920, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of General George Owen Squier, 1921.1.1
General George Owen Squier
Artist
Date1920
bronze on marble base
On view