
Read the visual description
This is a drawing of an animal lounging in a tree and a figure in another tree. The scene depicts a bear sitting comfortably on a tree branch, surrounded by foliage and trees. Above the bear, a figure is perched on another branch, gazing downward. The composition captures a serene natural setting, with intricate linework to define the trees, leaves, and the textures of the bear's fur. The sky is depicted in the background with soft shades suggesting a landscape in the distance. The artwork's attention to detail in rendering the leaves, branches, and characters contributes to the tranquil mood of the drawing, creating a harmonious interaction between nature and the figure.
National Gallery of Art · Print
Bear and Elf (Bär und Elfe): pl.1
Max Klinger
- Date
- published 1881
- Medium
- etching and aquatint
- Dimensions
- image: 39.3 x 22.5 cm (15 1/2 x 8 7/8 in.) plate: 41.7 x 28.2 cm (16 7/16 x 11 1/8 in.) sheet: 62.3 x 45 cm (24 1/2 x 17 11/16 in.)
- Classification
- Accession number
- 2001.132.56
- Credit line
- The Epstein Family Collection
- Time span
- 1851 to 1875
- Department
- CG-E
Portfolio and series
- Series
- Intermezzi, Opus IV (Singer 52-63)
Subjects and terms
- etching
- German
- aquatint
- Flower
- Woman
- Tree
- Female nude
- animal
Provenance
Mr. Lionel C. Epstein and Family, Washington, D.C.; gift to NGA, 2001.
Inscription
lower left in plate: MAX KLINGER; lower right in plate: I
NGA object ID 74930. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.