Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) by John Woodhouse Audubon, 1845

Ursus maritimus, Polar Bear. (Male.) (1845) by John Woodhouse Audubon captures the commanding presence of the Arctic’s apex predator at a moment of poised alertness. Created during the height of Victorian natural history, this zoological illustration unites field observation with the era’s exacting standards of scientific depiction. The polar bear’s massive frame and dense, wind-brushed coat are set against a pared-back seascape and rocky foreshore, evoking both the harshness and the majesty of the high latitudes.

This listing offers a museum-quality fine art print of Audubon’s work, produced with archival pigment inks on acid‑free, heavyweight paper or on artist’s cotton canvas for added texture and depth. Choose from a range of sizes to suit your space, with optional framing and conservation-grade matting. The Unique Maps Co. also provides personalized titleplates, dedication text, and custom sizing or framing consultations to help you create a piece perfectly tailored to your interior.

John Woodhouse Audubon (1812–1862), the son of John James Audubon, advanced the family’s legacy by bringing the same field-based rigor and visual drama to mammals that his father achieved with birds. Working in the mid-19th century, he contributed to landmark natural-history projects that sought to record North American wildlife with an uncommon blend of accuracy and artistry. His plates remain prized for their lifelike modeling, nuanced draftsmanship, and carefully observed behavior and anatomy.

The subject here—Ursus maritimus, the polar bear—held special fascination for 19th-century audiences, symbolizing exploration, resilience, and the still-mysterious polar regions. As scientific classification accelerated through the 1840s, such illustrations played a pivotal role in shaping public understanding of distant species and habitats. This plate channels that spirit of discovery, presenting the bear with a credibility that stems from careful study rather than mere imagination.

Visually, the composition is a masterclass in contrast and restraint. The bear’s predominantly white coat is articulated with fine, directional strokes that suggest both bulk and softness, while the background is kept intentionally understated—muted sea-greens and slate-blues dissolve into a horizon touched with a warm, amber glow. The resulting palette lets the creature’s silhouette command the frame, and the subtle interplay of cool and warm tones adds depth without distracting from the anatomy. The natural, organic contours of the animal and shoreline create a steady rhythm across the image, making this print equally at home in a refined study, contemporary living room, or nature-inspired nursery.

This timeless natural-history print makes a thoughtful gift for wildlife enthusiasts, scientists, and art lovers alike—perfect for Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, a housewarming, or for anyone captivated by Arctic travel and the grandeur of the far north.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.