Gene Jarvis: Emperor Penguins

Artist: Gene Jarvis
1921 - 1990
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1979
Image Size: 9.5 by 9 inches
Overall Size: 12.75 by 12.5 inches
Medium: Pen and Ink on Hot Press Illustration Board

The largest living penguin, the Emperor Penguin, looks very regal as he gazes across the frozen Antarctic in his striking black and white tuxedo-like plumage. In contrast to the starkness of his surroundings, this bird is quite colorful, both in plumage and lifestyle. His neck and ears bear vivid orange and yellow patches, and his lower mouth area has bright plates in violet and orange. This lovely bird leads a life centered around the breeding colony for ten months of the year. Early in March, the male begins wooing the female with an elaborate display of dance and song that leads to the start of nesting. Soon, a very large egg weighing nearly a pound is laid. The male carefully places this prized egg on his feet and settles his soft belly fold over it to keep it warm in the harsh antarctic cold. While the male warms the egg, the female -- who has fasted for over a month and lost nearly thirty percent of her body weight -- swims out to sea to feed on crabs and fish. The males left behind in the breeding colony huddle together to warm each other in the piercing cold. Just as the nestlings hatch, the females return from the sea. During the female's four month absence, the male has gone without food and has lost nearly fifty percent of his body weight. Of course, now his time has come to go to sea for food. For the next month or so, the female warms the young birds in her belly fold. They, they are old enough to be herded together with other young Emperors while most of the adults leave to hunt.

This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the British Antarctic Territory 25p Emperor Penguins stamp issued January 14, 1979.

Artwork Copyright © 1979 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): XB05420

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