#70 • Fred Machetanz "Harpooner's Moment" Print

Part of March 2026 Art Auction (timed auction by Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals)

High bid $600.00

Status: Sold

Category: Art

A signed and numbered 476/950 print by Alaska artist Fred Machetanz (1908-2002) entitled "Harpooner's Moment" depicting a whaling crew that has reached its quarry, and the harpooner is poised for the thrust. He will wait until they are as close as possible to drive the darting gun (harpoon) directly into the whale, and, if he can do that, the second, smaller and shorter point extending from the shaft will, upon impact, trigger a large shell thus assuring the kill. His darting gun is of a type once used by Yankee whalers during the 19th century. The whale, moving at a right angle to the umiak, a boat made of skins, contours the water in its wake and gives a pleasing, shimmering reflection of the crew. Matted and framed with information about the print en verso, it measures approximately 29.5" x 33.5" overall.