Cos 001 Gil Elvgren Bear Facts Gil Elvgren (1914-1980)

The composition presents a woman in intimate attire playfully interacting with a large polar bear. She is seated on what appears to be a thick fur rug, positioned centrally within the frame. The background fades into a warm, indistinct brown, drawing focus towards the figures and their immediate surroundings.
Here we see the woman posed in a flirtatious manner; her gaze directed outward, accompanied by a broad smile that suggests amusement or invitation. Her attire consists of a black, lace-trimmed garment revealing considerable décolletage and upper thighs, complemented by stockings held up with garters. The artist has rendered her skin tone as fair, emphasizing the contrast against the dark fabric.
The polar bear occupies the lower portion of the image, its head resting beneath the woman’s leg. Its expression is one of apparent contentment or perhaps bemused tolerance, rather than aggression. The fur is meticulously detailed, conveying a sense of texture and volume. A strip of red cloth serves as a visual anchor at the base of the composition, providing a contrasting color that enhances the overall vibrancy.
Subtexts within this work revolve around themes of domesticity, power dynamics, and playful transgression. The juxtaposition of a conventionally feminine figure with a powerful wild animal creates an unusual scenario, hinting at a subversion of expected roles. The woman’s posture and expression suggest control over the bear, yet her attire and the setting imply a degree of vulnerability or staged performance. The fur rug itself contributes to this sense of controlled wilderness, suggesting a domesticated environment where unexpected encounters can occur.
The overall effect is one of lightheartedness and suggestive charm, characteristic of a style that often blended sensuality with humor and fantasy.