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Lot description
A highly unusual oil painting on canvas by Inupiaq artist Robert Mayokok (1903-1983). Mayokok's drawings are a glimpse into the Alaskan Native lifestyle, depicting hunting and fishing scenes, crafted in mixed media including ink, ink-washes, watercolor, and more, sometimes using surfaces such as animal skins and hides. This artwork depicts a whale-hunting scene at sunset, with six Alaska Native figures in their umiak, one at the bow with a harpoon raised, ready to throw. A whale is seen partially visible out of the water, between two melting icebergs. The painted canvas is stretched on a wooden frame; it has some light crazing and specks of paint loss commensurate with age, along with at least one small nail hole. Measures approximately 22" x 28". Nearly all examples encountered from the artist are ink and sepia-toned.