Portrait of Bernard Moaney as a Duck Hunter

1931, oil, 48” x 31 ½”

Duck hunting continues to be a popular outdoor sport on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. This oil painting of Bernard Moaney conveys an image of a proud, self-confident individual. His relaxed, yet noble pose and facial expression radiate intelligence and self-reliance. He holds a shotgun in one hand and a decoy in the other. A decoy is a carved, wooden object that is crafted to look like a live bird. The purpose of a decoy is to attract real ducks or other waterfowl to the location of the decoy and the hunter.