Vladimir Dmitrievich Kolganov: Emperor Penguin

Artist: Vladimir Dmitrievich Kolganov
1923 -
Nationality: Russian
Artwork Year: 1978
Image Size: 9.125 by 7.875 inches
Overall Size: 10.625 by 9.5 inches
Medium: Water Color on Water Color Paper

Looking like an emperor in his white "shirt" and black "tuxedo," the Emperor Penguin, the largest living penguin, nobly gazes out over his icy domain. In contrast to his snowy, drab surroundings, this giant antarctic bird is rather colorful both in plumage and lifestyle. Vivid orange or yellow patches appear on this penguin's ears and neck, and the lower mandible sports violet, reddish-lilac, or orange plates. These gaily marked birds lead a life that centers around their breeding colonies ten months of the year. In March, elaborate dances and songs mark the start of nesting. Soon, a very large egg is laid, weighing nearly a pound. The male carefully settles his soft belly fold over it to keep it warm. Meanwhile, the female, who has fasted for over a month and has lost about thirty percent of her body weight, swims out to sea for feeding. The males that are left behind to warm the eggs huddle together to warm each other in the piercing cold. In July, the females return just as the nestlings hatch. During her four month absence, the male has not eaten a morsel and has lost fifty percent of his body weight. Naturally, it is time he went to sea for food. For the next month and a half, the nestling continues to warm himself in the mother's belly fold. Then the young Emperor Penguin spends the rest of the year flocked with other young while the parents hunt seafood.

This artwork originally appeared on the Fleetwood® First Day Proofcard for the Russia 4kpc Emperor Penguin stamp issued July 20, 1978.

Artwork Copyright © 1978 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB05859

US$ Price: $950.00

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