Reginald Eugene Nickerson (American/Massachusetts, 1915-1999) oil on canvas maritime painting depicting the ship "Whaling Bark Wanderer" at sea with full sails, flying an American flag and "W" flag, The ship is surrounded by whales and figures hunting the whales from fishing boats rowing in the foreground, with additional ships and a mountain landscape visible in the background under a cloudy blue sky. Signed "R.E. Nickerson" lower right. Inscribed BARK 'WANDERER' ARRIVING AT SOUTH SEAS WHALE FISHERIES-1879- to stretcher. Housed in a simple white painted wood frame. Sight: 21 1/2" H x 35 1/2" W. Framed: 24 1/2" H x 38 3/4" W. Note: The Bark Wanderer was first launched in 1878, setting sail from New Bedford, MA commanded by Capt. Andrew Heyer. It was one of the last whaling ships produced in Mattapoisett, MA as the whaling industry was approaching its demise, due to the replacement of whale oil by petroleum. By 1882, her registry had changed to San Francisco and her whaling grounds became the North Pacific and Arctic Oceans. She finally returned to New Bedford in 1904 where, during the next 20 years, the Wanderer made eleven whaling voyages out of New Bedford. In 1924, the ship set out on its last voyage and was driven into the island of Cuttyhunk by gale-force winds from a tropical storm. (Adapted from the Mattapoisett Museum, Mattapoisett, MA. : https://www.mattapoisettmuseum.org/post/the-bark-wanderer).

PROVENANCE: Private Tennessee Collection.

CONDITION: Painting in overall very good condition with no visible losses or retouching. Frame with wear and losses throughout.