About
This sculpture is the third bear portrait by a third artist in the St. Louis area (Robert Cronbach and Victor Holm created the two bear sculptures in front of the Peabody Opera House at 15th Street and Market Street). The donor, who was a trustee of Washington University and an avid sports enthusiast, gave a gift of a large sum of money to the school to spend as it chose. The decision to commission a bear statue (the university’s mascot), for the new athletic building was controversial because people were concerned about spending funds for art when other things were needed. The donor retracted the funds, commissioned the sculpture, and donated it to the school.
Dimensions: 9’11”
Year Completed: 1991
Material: Bronze
Owner: Washington University
Donor: Private gift
