Bear and Cubs 1864

"Bear and Cubs" is an 1864 oil painting by American artist William Holbrook Beard, known for his animal-themed genre paintings. This heartwarming scene depicts a mother bear gently grooming her cub, while another cub sits nearby. The bears are nestled in a cave, surrounded by a scattering of vegetables and other natural elements, suggesting a nurturing and familial setting. The painting's realistic details and sentimental tone evoke a sense of warmth and tenderness, typical of Beard's style.