Portrait of an American Sea Captain, circa 1850.

A young Herman Melville served aboard the whaling ship "Acushnet" (out of New Bedford)in the year 1841. The Captain of that ship was Capt. Valentine Pease. Melville jumped ship according to records because Capt. Pease 'was not humanely treating his crew,' and Melville was not shy about reporting his transgressions to authorities. Back on land, it is widely believed that the character of the tyrannical Capt. Ahab in Melville's classic MOBY DICK was based on his former Captain. This painting has a label on the back titled "Capt. Ahab" and recently was deaccessioned from the NEW BEDFORD WHALING MUSEUM. The portrait measures 30" x 25" and comes in a molded giltwood frame, probably the original. The painting has been relined and there is some craquelure but otherwise the painting is in fine condition. Whether or not this portrait is Capt. Pease of MOBY DICK fame we will probably never know. However, it is still a wonderful painting of a sinister looking Sea Captain.