Chuck Ripper: Blue Whale Swimming in the Ocean

Artist: Chuck Ripper
1929 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1993
Image Size: 12.25 by 14.5 inches
Overall Size: 14.75 by 17.75 inches
Medium: Gouche Water Color on Masonite

Larger than even the largest dinosaur, the Blue Whale can measure up to 100 feet in length and weigh up to 120 tons. But size, to this great creature, is no great advantage. For the larger the whale, the greater the likelihood of being spotted by whalers. While many nations have agreed to limit or discontinue whaling through the International Whaling Convention, several have recently announced their intention to depart from its voluntary restrictions. This will once again threaten the massive Blue Whale, which when left to its own devices can live for nearly 80 years. The Red Data Book which enumerates species considered threatened, lists the Blue Whale as "critically endangered." The cause of its present status is undoubtedly due to man's depredations. For the Blue Whale was once the most important of the commercially hunted baleen whales. Yet in just 150 years, this behemoth of the sea has been virtually wiped out. Perhaps fortunately for the Blue Whale, it is a solitary creature that's at home in all the world's oceans, migrating annually from polar waters to tropical seas. If these enormous creatures were limited to one ocean or traveled often in large groups, they might face an even greater risk of being driven to extinction.

This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover of the United Nations Endangered Species Series F.s. 0,80 Blue Whale stamp issued March 18, 1994.

Artwork Copyright © 1993 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): XB14622

US$ Price: $2,700.00

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