Mergansers, pintails, mallards and eiders have all adorned the Federal Duck Stamp, one of the most successful conservation programs in United States history. Discover the artistry behind the popular waterfowl hunting stamp in “Conservation Through the Arts: Celebrating the Federal Duck Stamp,” on view Sept. 5, 2024-Feb. 9, 2025 at the Bruce Museum. The exhibition showcases a unique array of paintings and works on paper by renowned wildlife artists, including more than 70 works recently donated to the Museum.
Since its launch in 1934, the Federal Duck Stamp has raised more than $1.2 billion to preserve over 6.5 million acres of wetlands across the United States. All duck hunters must purchase the stamp which supports the conservation and acquisition of wetlands where the birds thrive. The first stamp featured a brush and ink drawing of mallards by famous Pulitzer-Prize-winning editorial cartoonist and noted conservationist Jay N. “Ding” Darling. Darling was chief of the Bureau of Biological Survey, a precursor of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, from 1934- 1936.
In the early years of the program, the annual stamp design was selected by a panel from a shortlist of invited wildlife artists. The first art contest was held in 1949. The contest, open to any U.S. artist aged 18 or older, remains the only art competition run by the U.S. government. Hundreds of artists vie each year for the prestige of seeing their art grace the new stamp.
Works on view in “Conservation Through the Arts” include original paintings, drawings and etchings representing the winning stamp designs, part of a recent donation to the Museum by collector Richie Prager. An avid outdoorsman, Prager got his first stamp at the age of 15. After years of developing a substantial collection, he began seeking out the original artworks behind the stamps. As a Greenwich resident, Prager felt strongly about making the Bruce the permanent home for his one-of-a-kind collection as a way to give back to his community.
Historic documents and objects from the Bruce Museum’s natural history collections will accompany the artwork on view. Highlights of the exhibition include an early print by Darling; two paintings by David Maass, one of history’s most famous wildlife artists; and contemporary paintings by Joseph, James and Robert Hautman, three brothers renowned for collectively winning 15 competitions.
The Bruce will welcome visitors to experience the 2024 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest live at the Museum Sept. 19- 20. At the two-day event, five expert judges will examine hundreds of entries to select the winning design for the 2025 Federal Duck Stamp. The five species eligible for the contest are Northern Shoveler, Brant, Greater Scaup, Spectacled Eider and Hooded Merganser.
“Seeing the style of etchings, drawings and paintings evolve over time is fascinating,” said Daniel Ksepka, Ph.D., curator of science at the Bruce Museum. “It’s also remarkable to see how Duck Stamps have permeated popular culture. But most important of all is the success of the program as a conservation vehicle — it almost certainly saved some species from extinction in the first few decades and continues to conserve millions of acres today.”
“Conservation Through the Arts: Celebrating the Federal Duck Stamp” is organized by the Bruce Museum and curated by Daniel Ksepka.
