Painted by Japanese artist Mori Shuho, this small bear looks directly out at the viewer while it sits uneasily on a ledge amid the snowflakes. Shho was a member of the Mori School of artists who specialised in depictions of animals. Shuho was the elder brother of Sosen (1747-1821), the famous painter of monkeys. Though less well regarded than his brother, Shuho was a respected and prolific artist in his hometown of Osaka. This painting is signed 'Hokkyo (Bridge of the Law) Shühõ', and was done before he attained the highest honorary rank of höin (Seal of the Law). Shüho often wrote his age after his signature, as done here, making it possible to chart his career quite closely. He painted this work when he was sixty-two. Ashmolean Museum collection.

Black bear cub, 1799, by Mori Shuhõ (1728-1813). Ink and paint on silk.

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