Tom McNeely (Canadian, B. 1935) "Inuit Men Fishing with Harpoons" Original Watercolor painting on Paper. Signed and dated lower right.
Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Canada 17c Inuit Community se-tenant pair stamp issued September 13, 1979.
Many of the Canadian Inuits live near the sea where they catch fish, a mainstay of their diet. Just as they are good hunters, the Inuit are exceptionally good fishermen. In warm months, they raise their forked harpoons made of whalebone or antler and spear a tasty ocean meal. Occasionally, the Inuit will use nets to catch fish, but to most, the real challenge and thrill of the fishing expedition comes in harpooning, for it takes keen eyesight and good timing to spear a swift moving fish. When fishing a river or stream, the men will often dam up the water with stones to trap the fish and make their harpooning easier. These fishing methods are used in summer, but when winter comes, bringing ice and snow, fishing techniques change, and the Inuit becomes an ice fisherman. Dressed in warmest caribou coat, bird-feather under garments, and sealskin gloves, the Inuit trudges out across the ice to a favorite winter fishing spot where he has had luck in years past. There, he carefully chops a hole in the ice and drops his hand line through into the freezing water. Patiently he waits for a bite while chilling winds whip across the ice all around him, instantly freezing any living creature left exposed to the elements. If the Inuit' s ice hole yields a plentiful catch, as he has known it to on past fishing trips, his family will enjoy a tasty evening meal. If not, he will move on, to a place where the fish are biting. The Inuit knows that the family depends on him for their food and he must provide.
Image Size: 20 x 19.5 in.
Overall Size: 26 x 23 in.
Unframed.
(B05589)
Condition
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