Antoine-Louis BaryeFrench, 1796–1875Mississippi Bear
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “Mississippi Bear” now? Collection: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago. Not on view at present. Checked October 12, 2026.
Chicago, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the work
Famed animal sculptor Antoine Louis Barye also produced watercolors and a few prints. Framed in a similar fashion to other images by Barye of animals such as lions and tigers, this lithograph shows a black bear from the exotic state of Mississippi. These large beasts were plentiful there until around 1900, attracting big game hunters, including President Theodore Roosevelt. During his 1902 visit to the Mississippi Delta, the president refused to shoot an injured and lassoed bear, considering it unsportsmanlike. This humane response is said to have inspired a toymaker to produce the Teddy Bear. After a precipitous population decline and a recent recolonization effort, black bears in Mississippi are now making a comeback.
Art Institute of ChicagoCC BY 4.0
Details
- Accession number
- 1965.150
In the catalog
Sources
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Image: Art Institute of Chicago — CC0
