Chuck Ripper: Monk Seal Sitting up in the Water

Artist: Chuck Ripper
1929 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1993
Image Size: 12.75 by 14.5 inches
Overall Size: 14.75 by 17.75 inches
Medium: Gouche Water Color on Masonite

Centuries ago, the ancient Greeks were familiar with these playful creatures, which could be seen numbering in the thousands along Mediterranean shorelines. The poet Homer recorded enormous herds on beaches, while Aristotle, who tutored Alexander the Great, described the seals in detail. Today, however, the Monk Seal -- the only seal that lives in warm, subtropical waters -- is quite rare, pushed to the brink of extinction by man's harassment. Shy and retiring, perhaps due to its rough treatment at the hands of hostile fishermen who have slaughtered them in the past, the Monk Seal now hides in caves while it formerly bred on open beaches. Fewer than 500 of these creatures are believed to survive in the Mediterranean region, and these in small, widely-scattered colonies. This thin distribution is a danger in itself, and can result in inbreeding as well as other risks. For example, one colony of 50 Monk Seals was wiped out in an instant in 1978, when the cave in which they were taking refuge collapsed. That year saw the establishment of a plan to save the beleaguered Monk Seal, which was developed at an international conference held in Greece. Since that time, the European Economic Community and Council of Europe have also initiated conservation programs.

This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover of the United Nations Endangered Species Series S7 Mediterranean Monk Seal 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): XB14628

US$ Price: $2,700.00

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