PAINTING - (a) INDO-PACIFIC HUMPBACK DOLPHIN & (b) ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHIN

c. 1975
Subcollections
Overview

2 paintings in single framed work (a) Indo Pacific Humpback Dolphin - grey colored with white flecks, robust bodied with distinctive dorsal fin and long beak (7.) (b) Rough Toothed Dolphin - Dark grey upper with light grey underbelly and white markings/scars, with white beak and sloping forehead (6.);gouache on blue card, framed and mounted with inscription.
SPOTTE

Historical information

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.

Reframed No Verso RE1999.322a,b Original Verso-Smithsonian label checklist # 6, 7 Packing case # 1

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-128-RE1999.322a-b
Item type
Material
Width
810 mm
Height or length
440 mm
Depth
15 mm
Inscriptions and markings

INDO-PACIFIC HUMPBACK DOLPHIN (Sousa chinensis)
Although the humpback dolphins are inshore species, found from South Africa throughout the Indo-Pacific region as far east as the China Sea, they are very poorly known; it is even unclear if there is a single species throughout this vast range, or ass many as three. Some scientists assign full species recognition to the white dolphin (Sousa borneensis), the lead-colored dolphin (S. plumbea), and the freckled dolphin (S. lentiginosa). The name "humpback" is derived from the peculian ridge on the back, on which is perched the small dorsal fin. These dolphins average about 8 feet in length, although some forms are longer.
7.

ROUGH TOOTHED DOLPHIN (Steno bredanensis)
This dolphin gets its common name from the striations on its teeth, which are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Steno is a dark purplish-brown, and is usually found with pinkish circular scars on its body, making it possible to describe the animal as a "purple dolphin with pink polka-dots." (The scars are believed to be caused by a species of small shark that takes circular bites from the living dolphin.) The rough-toothed dolphin reaches a length of 8 feet, and while it is found throughout the world's tropical and temperate waters, it is nowhere near common.
6

Reframed No Verso RE1999.322a,b

Contextual information

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

Place made
United States
Year
Primary significance criteria
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Scientific or research significance
Comparative significance criteria
Object’s condition or completeness
Rare or representative
Well provenanced
Last modified
Wednesday, 15 October, 2025
Completeness
100
Permissions

Reproduction or publication with Albany’s Historic Whaling Station permission only.

Albany's Historic Whaling Station

Albany's Historic Whaling Station

2 paintings in single framed work (a)  Indo Pacific Humpback Dolphin -  grey colored with white flecks,  robust bodied with distinctive dorsal fin and long beak (7.) (b) Rough Toothed Dolphin - Dark grey upper with light grey underbelly and white markings/scars,  with white beak and sloping forehead (6.) on blue card with inscription.

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