To produce the images that convey his fatalistic and ironic approach to life, tinged with hope, he needed the environment and knowledge of Mother Russia, oiled with a bit of bribery to certain circus trainers. Enter the Great Russian Bear, the personification of Russia for the last several centuries, onto center stage and into his studio. The bear is recognized as both brutish and cute – Misha was the mascot for the 1980 Olympic Games – and has remained a symbol of Russia since Tsarist times. In 2009 it is the symbol of the United Russia Party.

A girl allows a butterfly to be placed on her nose at the Sensational Butterflies exhibition at the Natural History Museum on April 6, 2011 in London, England. The exhibition is divided up into five sensory zones exploring how butterflies see, hear, taste, smell and touch. The display containing hundreds of butterflies runs from April 12 to September 11, 2011. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

An employee looks at the artwork “4-Chlorephenol, 2008”, part of the artist Damien Hirst's exhibition “The Complete Spot Paintings” at the Gagosian Gallery on January 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

Enthusiasts gather for the Model Rail Scotland exhibition on February 24, 2012 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images)

A visitor to ''The Cult of Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement 1860-1900'' exhibition at The V&A Museum looks at sculptures by Thornycroft (L) and Watts on March 30, 2011 in London, England. This exhibition brings together for the first time many masterpieces in painting, sculpture, design and furniture as well as fashion and literature and runs from April 2nd to July 17th 2011.

A 10 week old stuffed Tiger cub and a Tortoise are displayed in a cabinet at an “Endangered Species” exhibition at London Zoo on September 12, 2011 in London, England. The exhibition is organised by “Operation Charm”, a Metropolitan Police partnership aimed at tackling the illegal trade in endangered wildlife and runs for one month at London Zoo. Items include the tooth of a sperm whale, Ivory carvings, and a stuffed Tiger. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

General view of “Marie Claire” Magazine Film Exhibition at Oquendo street during 59th San Sebastian Film Festival on September 22, 2011 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

A woman views a painting by American artist George Condo entitled “Jesus” on October 17, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)