“Step into the frigid Arctic with this painting of whaling ships battling colossal icebergs and a tempestuous sea. It vividly portrays the high stakes and sheer scale of 19th-century polar expeditions.”
This dramatic painting plunges us into the icy, perilous world of Arctic whaling, where two ships, the Diana and the Anne, are dwarfed by towering icebergs and a vast, turbulent sea. The scene is dominated by a sense of raw nature and the human struggle against it, with the ships appearing vulnerable amidst the monumental forces of the Arctic. The artist captures the harsh light of the polar region, illuminating the jagged edges of the ice and the dark, churning water. This work offers a glimpse into a dangerous industry that fueled economies and explored remote corners of the globe, depicting not just the vessels but the stark environment in which these voyages took place. The composition emphasizes the scale of the landscape and the isolation of the ships, highlighting the bravery and desperation of those who embarked on such expeditions.
- Artist
- James H. Wheldon
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The tiny figures on the deck of the Diana, dwarfed by the ship itself.
The subtle green and blue hues within the icebergs, suggesting their immense age.
The churning whitecaps of the waves, indicating a rough and cold sea.
The dark, almost ominous clouds gathering on the horizon.
1 more detail is waiting.
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The full narration walks you through Whaling Ships: Diana and Anne in the Arctic — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
James H. Wheldon
1830–1895 · United Kingdom of Great Britain and IrelandJames H. Wheldon, a British painter active in the late 19th century, is known for his etching of 'Saint James the Greater'.
Further Works by Wheldon
'Diana' and 'Chase' in the Arctic
1857 · Hull Maritime Museum
Dutch Buss and Man of War
1870 · Hull Maritime Museum
SS 'Burgos'
1871 · Hull Maritime Museum
A Barque Struck by Lightning off Eddystone Lighthouse, Cornwall
Hull Maritime Museum
Hull Whaler 'Abram'
Hull Maritime Museum
Hull Whaler 'Harmony' (after William John Huggins)
Hull Maritime Museum
Ships navigating a busy channel
The 'Diana' in an Ice Dock
Hull Maritime Museum
