Chris Calle: Ship's Figurehead

Artist: Chris Calle
1961 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1985
Image Size: 17 by 11.5 inches
Overall Size: 24 by 16.25 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Hot Press Illustration Board

Of all woodcrafts, those used in shipbuilding rank among the oldest and the most vital to progress in America from colonial days onward. Some of the finest examples of a shipbuilder's artistic expression could be found in the figureheads which graced the bow of a ship. Master figurehead carvers favored the use of cedar and white pine for their work. The characteristic workable softness of these woods allowed craftsmen to produce impressive figures. The figureheads these craftsmen carved performed no useful function, yet rarely was a ship lacking one. The tradition of ship's figureheads dates back to the early Mediterranean explorers, the Phoenicians. These expert mariners used figureheads of favorite gods to safeguard their ships. Later, the Viking raiders had crude figureheads on the bows of their ships as they ransacked Europe. The custom of creating and placing figureheads below the bowsprit was continued by shipbuilders in the New World, and after the Revolution, in the new United States. Early American figurehead carvings featured slightly larger than life-sized animals and women, but as the United States became a proud, independent nation, heroes of the Revolution and American folk heroes were also skillfully carved. These new figureheads added a simple dignity to an American ship while recording and symbolizing the growth of the new nation.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 22¢ Ship's Figurehead stamp issued October 1, 1986.

Artwork Copyright © 1985 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): XB10084

US$ Price: $1,700.00

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