Performing Bear

Frederick George Richard Roth

1903, cast ca. 1906 · Bronze · The American Wing

An accomplished animal sculptor, Roth portrayed humorous aspects of animal life. "Performing Bear" was most likely modeled after a tamed animal Roth saw in a circus act, either in Europe or the United States. The sculptor’s careful depiction of the bear's muscles, bones, and fur reflects his training in both art and veterinary anatomy. This statuette is one of six in the Metropolitan’s collection that was purchased from Roth in 1906, at a time when the museum was making a special effort to collect smaller bronzes by American sculptors.

Artist

Frederick George Richard Roth

Date

1903, cast ca. 1906

Medium

Bronze

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1906