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