The image above is an article from Hutching's California Magazine of July 1858 on the California grizzly. The bear image is by Charles Nahl, a German born artist who came to California in 1850 and is well recognized for his paintings of pioneer life.
Below, we have horizontally flipped the Nahl Bear image as well as the image of Nahl's signature. Is the design beginning to look familiar at all? Yes, it looks familiar to us as well.
Below is a photoshop image in which we have superimposed the 1953 Donald Greame Kelley drawing of the grizzly bear which serves as the basis of the 1953 standardized design of the California Bear Flag on top of the Charles Nahl drawing of the California grizzly in 1858.
At least with respect to the outline of the two grizzlies, there is a signifciant similarity of shape. The Nahl grizzly does appear to have a heavier, back left leg, is a little heavier on his back and backside as well, and the snout of the bear is more horizontal than in the Kelley bear. The Kelley bear has the triangular shaped area of fur below the head which the Nahl bear does not have.
This has been an interesting exercise in comparison for us. We hope you find it interesting as well.
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