PAINTINGS - (a)TRUE'S BEAKED WHALE (b) GULFSTREAM BEAKED WHALE

c. 1975
Subcollections
Overview

2 paintings in single framed work (a) True`s Beaked Whale - small and streamlined, dark grey-black on the upper body and flanks, lighter grey underside, with white patches, beak, and slightly hooked dorsal fin located toward the tail. (67.) (b) Gulf Stream Beaked Whale - slender, spindle-shaped body, dark grey/ bluish-black on top and white blotches, scars, distinctive white, narrow beak with visible teeth. (68); gouache on blue card, framed and mounted with inscription

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.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-128-RE1999.328a,b
Item type
Width
440 mm
Height or length
890 mm
Depth
15 mm
Inscriptions and markings

TRUE'S BEAKED WHALE (Mesoplodon mirus)
True's beaked whale is found primarily in the North Atlantic, but also off South Africa. This small beaked whale (maximum size 17 feet) has teeth only at the extremity of the lower jaw, and - as is the case with almost all beaked whales - only the males have teeth. The name mirus means "amazing" or "wonderful."
67.

GULFSTREAM BEAKED WHALE (Mesoplodon europaeus)
Although it is known primarily from the western North Atlantic and the Caribbean, there is one documented record of this beaked whale from the English Channel. Like most of its relatives, this Mesoplodon is known mostly from strandings. The size of adults is estimated to be about 17 feet.
68.

Verso: Smithsonian label checklist # 67,68 Packing case # 2, AWHS accession number

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
Thursday, 16 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)  True`s Beaked Whale -  small and streamlined, dark grey-black on the upper body and flanks, lighter grey underside, with white patches, beak, and slightly hooked dorsal fin located toward the tail. (67.) (b) Gulf Stream Beaked Whale - slender, spindle-shaped body,  dark grey/ bluish-black on top and white blotches, scars, distinctive white, narrow beak with visible teeth. (68), on blue card with inscription.

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