Two Bears, Plaster full-scale (Marshall Maynard Fredericks, 1965)

Identification of the Sculptural Work

Two Bears, Plaster full-scale is a 20th-century animal sculpture created by Marshall Maynard Fredericks. The work was executed in 1965. It is currently part of the collection at the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum in University Center, Michigan.

The artist, Marshall Maynard Fredericks, produced this piece as a large and small bear sitting back to back. While the subject matter involves two animals that are naturally enemies in the wild, the sculpture presents them in a gentle, humanistic way to emphasize tolerance. This specific plaster model is a full-scale version of the artist's vision.

Composition and Visual Elements

The sculpture presents a large bear and a small bear positioned back to back. This arrangement creates a sense of quiet contemplation between the two figures. While the species are naturally adversaries, the composition portrays them in a gentle, humanistic manner to emphasize the concept of tolerance. One figure is rendered as a brown bear, while the other is a black bear.

The artist utilizes specific anatomical details to establish a unique visual language. On the knees of the smaller bear, a distinctive teardrop sculpting style is visible. This particular mark functions as a signature element within the artist's broader body of work, appearing in other pieces such as:

• The Thinker
• Lion and Mouse
• Male Baboon and Female Baboon

Technique and Physical Materials

Executed as a full-scale plaster sculpture, this work utilizes a subtractive sculpting approach to define its organic forms. The material allows for a smooth, subtly polished surface that minimizes visible tool marks, emphasizing the volume and curves of the anatomy. This specific technique captures a sense of lightness and grace despite the substantial presence of the figures.

The physical dimensions of the sculpture measure 80 inches in height, 41 inches in width, and 75 inches in depth. The use of plaster provides a detailed medium for the artist's signature teardrop sculpting style, which is visible on the small bear's knees. This tactile precision is essential to the work's structural integrity and its ability to convey a sense of quiet contemplation through its textured surfaces.