Studies of a Recumbent Polar Bear

John Macallan Swan (mentioned on object), 1903

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.

  • Artwork typedrawing
  • Object numberSK-A-3713
  • Dimensionsheight 24 cm x width 36 cm
  • Physical characteristicspastels, on brown paper

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Identification

  • Title(s)

    Studies of a Recumbent Polar Bear

  • Object type

  • Object number

    SK-A-3713

  • Description

    Studies van een liggende ijsbeer

  • Inscriptions / marks

    signature and date: ‘John M Swan / 1903’

Creation

  • Creation

    draftsman (artist): John Macallan Swan (mentioned on object)

  • Dating

    1903

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    pastels, on brown paper

  • Dimensions

    height 24 cm x width 36 cm

This work is about

  • Subject

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Mr and Mrs Drucker-Fraser Bequest, Montreux

  • Acquisition

    bequest 1944

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; on loan from Jean Charles Joseph Drucker (1862-1944, Montreux) and Maria Lydia Drucker-Fraser (1886-1944, Montreux), with 204 other drawings, to the museum, 1919;{Note RMA.} by whom bequeathed, with 204 other drawings, to the museum, 1944

  • Remarks

    Please note that this provenance was formulated with a special focus on provenance research for the years 1933-45 and could therefore be incomplete. There may be more (mostly earlier) provenance information known in the museum. In case this item has an uncertain or incomplete provenance for the years 1933-45, the Rijksmuseum welcomes information and assistance in the investigation and clarification of the provenance of all works during that era.

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