Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Antarctic Beauty Contest

Seals on the ice
Description: Painting, Watercolor on Paper; by Standish Backus; 1956; Unframed Dimensions 23H X 31W
Accession #: 88-186-BG
Related Content

"This attractive female elephant seal, observed at Cap Hallett in Victoria Land, is the subject of a 'Rhubarb' among the male judges who are trying to decide who has a date with her for tonight. As to the outcome--well, she just couldn't care less."--Commander Standish Backus As a slang term, "rhubarb" means a heated, disorderly dispute, not necessarily a fistfight but one involving a lot of yelling.

Topic
  • Exploration, Expeditions and Voyages
Document Type
  • Art
Wars & Conflicts
File Formats
  • Image (gif, jpg, tiff)
Location of Archival Materials