Man Proposes, God Disposes
Edwin Landseer · 1864
Why it's great
Two polar bears prowl through the wreck of an Arctic expedition, gnawing at a torn flag and scattered supplies. Landseer painted this after the lost Franklin expedition. The title means we make plans but nature has the final say. It's a famous and very dramatic image.
👀 Look closer!
Find the polar bears in the ice. What are they looking at?
Where to see it
📍 Royal Holloway, University of LondonEgham, United Kingdom
Open in Maps ↗Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Edwin Landseer was born in London and showed an extraordinary talent for drawing animals as a child. He became Queen Victoria's favorite animal painter, and he created the bronze lions at the base of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square. He painted dogs, horses, and stags with great warmth. He died in London in 1873.
