An American Folk Art Whaling Scene Signed A. S. Machado

This wonderful folk painting depicts a whaling scene; an American barque in the background under sail and flying the American flag off of it's mizzen mast with red, white and blue pennants flying atop the three masts. Four whale boats are in pursuit of a pod of 6 sperm whales from three directions, two chasing, one from the far side and a whale boat approaching head on, a mate at the tiller, oarsmen in  stroke, and a whalemen standing in the bow with harpoon raised to throw. A whaleboat under sail is chasing another group of whales in the background. The scene is painted with vivid blue waters and a clear sky, with a few whisks of white clouds.                     

The whaling painting is oil on a panel of Caribbean heart pine. It has a simple whalebone frame nailed on to the outer edge of the panel. Signed l.r., A.S. Machado. Age of the painting and location are unknown. Painting measures 9 1/4 X 14 inches and 10 3/4 X 15 1/2 inches overall.