Alaska Brown Bear (Diorama)

Summary

The Alaska Brown Bear diorama in the Bernard Family Hall of North American Mammals depicts two brown bears that have gathered at a stream near Canoe Bay, Alaska. Belmore Browne (with George Browne) painted the background scene featuring the Aghileen Pinnacles appearing as snow-covered volcanic mountains behind the bears. The foreground artist was G. Frederick Mason ( with Joseph Guerry). Robert Rockwell constructed the iconic taxidermy bears. Originally completed in 1941, the diorama was restored during the hall’s restoration in 2011-2012.

The exhibition hall opened in 1942 as the new Hall of North American Mammals. Ten dioramas were completed initially; work on the hall halted during World War II; final completion 1954. All exhibition work completed under the direction of James L. Clark and Albert E. Butler.

Topics

• AMNH Dioramas
• Bears -- Alaska -- Exhibitions