Tom McNeely: Inuit Man with Dogsled

Artist: Tom McNeely
1935 -
Nationality: Canadian
Artwork Year: 1978
Image Size: 19.5 by 20 inches
Overall Size: 23 by 26 inches
Medium: Water Color on Water Color Paper

Whether done to acquire meat or skins, seal hunting has always been a major employment of the Inuit. In preparation for the hunt, the hunter clothes himself in Caribou furs for warmth and dons goggles to protect himself from snowblindness. In the traditional manner, the Inuit sets out on a dogsled toward the frozen lake. As the team speeds across the snow, the hunter may run along beside the sled both to stimulate his own circulation and to give the dogs a rest. Ten powerful Eskimo dogs hitched together make up the dogsled team. The strong bones of their legs and their large hairy feet, which keep them from sinking in the snow, suit them perfectly for their job. The lead dog, chosen for his intelligence and endurance, knows six basic commands and is the master of the other dogs. These dogs serve the hunter well, for they have excellent wind-scenting ability and can locate seal air holes in the ice. The dogs are ever sensitive to their master's voice, and the Inuit must keep still when not commanding the team. The journey is not a pleasant one, for in addition to being silent, the hunter must lug the sled over ice ridges and periodically untangle the traces. However, the Inuit knows the trip is necessary, for if the seal hunt is successful, he will have both food and hides. Today, the speed and comfort afforded by the airplane and snowmobile have nearly replaced the use of the dogsled by the hunter.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Canada 14¢ Inuit Travel stamp issued September 27, 1978.

Artwork Copyright © 1978 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): XB05165

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