Bjørne i Jardin des Plantes 1862

J.C. Nielsen rendered this delicate image of bears in Jardin des Plantes using etching. The stark contrast between the polar bear and the brown bear is the symbolic tension at the heart of this work. Across cultures, the bear appears as a symbol of both untamed wilderness and familial protection, and as an emblem of raw power. Consider how the bear has been depicted throughout history, from the cave paintings of our ancestors, to the heraldic symbols of medieval Europe, to the stuffed companions of childhood. Each depiction carries with it layers of cultural memory and emotional resonance. The power of this dichotomy—light and dark, arctic and forest—lies not only in its visual impact but also in its ability to evoke primal associations. The composition reminds us how symbols evolve through time, constantly taking on new layers of meaning. Nielsen's bears engage us on a subconscious level, tapping into deeply ingrained archetypes.