William Holbrook Beard

William Holbrook Beard (April 13, 1825 – February 20, 1900) was an American painter who is known for his satirical paintings of animals, especially bears, participating in human activities.

Beard was born in Painesville, Ohio. He studied abroad, is associated with the Düsseldorf school of painting, and in 1861 moved to New York City, where, in 1862, he became a member of the National Academy of Design. Beard opened his own artist's studio on Tenth Street in New York City in a building known as the Studio Building. Beard was a prolific artist. His humorous treatment of bears, cats, dogs, horses and monkeys, generally with some human occupation and expression, usually satirical, gave him a great vogue at one time, and his pictures were largely reproduced.

His brother, James Henry Beard (1814–1893), was also a painter.

William is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

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