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PRINT - KILLER WHALES Publisher Proof 8/20

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Richard Ellis

Subcollections

Overview

Framed commercial lithograph of family of 4 killer whales under reflective water. Publisher Proof 8/20

Historical information

This lithograph accompanies a collection of 106 of paintings by Richard Ellis that were selected by the Smithsonian Institution to form a traveling exhibit of the marine mammals of the world. The collection was purchased by Perth businessman Kevin Parry in 1985 and donated to Whale World, now known as Albany's Historic Whaling Station.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-128-RE1999.441

Item type

Themes

Material

Width

570 mm

Height or length

445 mm

Depth

15 mm

Inscriptions and markings

Publisher Proof 8/20

Verso: KILLER WHALES (Label - Mill Point Press Inc)

The most widely distributed of all cetaceans, the killer whale is found throughout all the oceans of the world , from the poles to the tropics in both hemispheres. Males can reach a length of 30 feet and females 26 feet, which makes them - despite their name- the largest of the dolphins.
Male killer whales are easily distinguishable at sea by their high, triangular dorsal fins, which sometimes reach a height of six feet. Females and juveniles have a much smaller, more curved dorsal fin.
Killer whales are among the oceans' apex predators, feeding on everything from fish and squid to seals, sea lions, dolphins, sharks and even the great whales. They do not attack humans. Killer whales are fast, powerful and intelligent, but they are surprisingly docile and cooperative in captivity.

Contextual information

The paintings represent a body of work by well-known American marine conservationist, author, artist and natural historian Richard Ellis (1938-2024).

Keywords

Richard Ellis

Albany' Historic Whaling Station

Marine Mammals

Place made

United States

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Scientific or research significance

Comparative significance criteria