Hunting Through the Ice

Description

‘Hunting Through the Ice’ by Saggiassie Ragee – Inuit Art – Cape Dorset 1962 print collection presented by DaVic Gallery of Native Canadian Arts.

Condition:          Professionally restored for yellowing of the paper, for safely removing and restoring paper from previous framing tapes as well for repairing paper slash of 2″ mid top edge of paper by previous framer.  Uneven cut by hand along top edge leaving Image not affected and can be matted over. Left measures 18″ H while right side measures 18 1/2″.  Mat would easily cover or even floated.   Some ink stains from pull.

Description by Artist:     No description by artist found.

Notes from DaVic Gallery:   Raw and spectacular is how would describe this rare and amazing print by Saggiassie (Sakiassie) Ragee that most definitely depicts activities from his traditional life hunting and fishing during the cold days of winter.  In this print we see four hunters with three of them hunting through breathing holes and one jigging for fish.  So far one of the hunters has successfully harpooned a walrus, while the other two hunters prepare their harpoons to catch a polar bear and a seal.   This seems like a very fortunate day with fantastic hunt available under the thick layer of ice.  Walrus and seal will provide with blubber for fire, fur and skin for clothing, bones for tools and carving, and most definitely meat for the village.

Saggiassie’s (Sakiassie) name in syllabics is stamped right lower area above the print chop.