Lot #30: Art - "Bear Dance" by Artist William Holbrook Beard

Wonderful print in a professionally matted frame. "The Bear Dance (c. 1870) by William Holbrook Beard is a famous oil painting depicting bears dancing in a forest, acting as a satire of Wall Street, often called The Bears of Wall Street Celebrating a Drop in the Stock Market. It is a whimsical yet symbolic scene featuring bears as human investors. Key Aspects of the Painting: Symbolism: The bears represent conservative investors or speculators, with the scene illustrating a ""jubilee"" during a market crash. Artist: William Holbrook Beard (1824-1900) was an American artist known for anthropomorphic, satirical scenes. Popularity: Despite its dark, satirical theme of the Reconstruction-era stock market, the painting became incredibly popular, particularly with children who enjoyed the dancing animals. Style: The artwork features a detailed, romanticized fantasy style, showcasing many bears in a forest clearing" Pickup category timeslot {A}