Additional Images

Provenance:

Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Toronto, ON;
Private Collection, Toronto, ON, acquired in 1999

Note:

Of the bear, Morrisseau explained: “The Midiwewin Society of the Ojibwa held this animal to be sacred. Legend states that the bear was at one time in the early history of the Ojibwa a human, or had human form. If Indians meet a bear, in fear they address it as "Our grandfather to all of us" and start to talk to it. It is a great sight to see a bear's ears and head moving as you speak to it.” [1]

Morrisseau reported that in his youth, he went into the forest on a vision quest in search of his life’s calling. While lying alone with his eyes closed, he became aware of the presence of a black bear. The bear approached, coming close enough to sniff the young man’s face before turning and walking away. The experience, informed by the role of the bear in the Anishinaabe cosmology, was of great personal significance. The figure of the bear was a recurring — and reverent — subject for the artist, whether depicted literally, as part of a ceremonial headdress, or in a state of transformation. [2]

(1) Norval Morrisseau and Donald Robinson, Norval Morrisseau: Travels to the House of Invention (Toronto, ON: Key Porter Books, 1997), 60.
(2) Donald C. Robinson, quoted in Morrisseau, 83.

Accompanied by a copy of the purchase invoice from 1999 (client name and address redacted)

To read more about the artist, click here.