Gene Jarvis: Bearded Vulture

Artist: Gene Jarvis
1921 - 1990
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1984
Image Size: 10 by 9 inches
Overall Size: 13.25 by 12.5 inches
Medium: Pen & Ink on Hot Press Illustration Board

High above the brush-covered steppes and rugged mountain ranges of the African kingdom of Swaziland, the Bearded Vulture soars effortlessly in search of a meal. Easily recognized in flight by its long pointed wings and diamond-shaped tail, the Bearded Vulture sails great distances on its searching flights. With a single downbeat of its great wings ... in which the ash-colored wing tips nearly touch ... this graceful brid swerves skyward in its never-ending quest for food. The Bearded Vulture is distinctive in its appearance, with a white head and dark face mask running from the eyes to the tuft of feathers on either side of its bill. The black bristly feathers on its chin form a "beard" ... thus giving the bird its name. This bird feeds primarily on carrion, although it will anttack smaller animals. Because the vulture will occasionally carry away a young goat or lamb, it was falsely accused of stealing babies. This myth brought the bird to the brink of extinction due to excessive hunting. A favorite food of the Bearded Vulture is bone. Although the bird will swallow whole bones, it likes to pick out the tender marrow from the center. In order to get at the marrow of large bones, the bird will carry the bones to a high altitude and then let them fall onto rocks thus splintering them into bite-sized pieces. Unfortunately, turtles and tortoises will get the same treatment.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Swaziland 35¢ Bearded Vulture stamp issued May 16, 1983.

Artwork Copyright © 1984 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): XB08730

US$ Price: $950.00

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