William Holbrook Beard (1824-1900)

The Bear Discussion is one of William Holbrook Beard’s anthropomorphic vignettes in which animals pose in human-like interactions. A standing bear gestures with its paws to make a point to another bear seated at the opening of a cave. We can only guess about the content of their discussion; it could be a familial tête-à-tête as the gentle giants gaze into each other’s eyes. They are surrounded by a peaceful woods dappled with light.