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Clifford W. Ashley
(American, 1881 - 1947)
The Whaler
1927
25 1/2 × 21 3/4 in. (64.8 × 55.2 cm)
76.5
© artist, artist's estate, or other rights holders
Gift of Harry G. Haskell, Jr., 1976
Not on view
Originally from the whaling center of New Bedford, Massachusetts, Clifford W. Ashley was equal parts artist, sailor, and author. He was a classmate of N. C. Wyeth in Boston and both artists eventually came to study with Howard Pyle in Wilmington, Delaware. This painting was made just after Ashley completed his book, "The Yankee Whaler," and just before writing "The Whaleships of New Bedford." With an image like this, Ashley was observing Pyle’s dictum to paint what one knows best by applying his authentic knowledge of whaling culture to his art.
