Many female octopuses are fanatically devout to their maternal obligations. As soon as she lays eggs in a natural cavity or even in a “basket” formed by her own tentacles, an octopus does not let anyone get near them and neglects to eat for a period of two to four months taking care of her unhatched eggs. She keeps washing, rearranging and cleaning them sometimes using her own suckers as tiny vacuum cleaners. Her starvation often results in irreparable harm to her health, and many female octopuses die by giving life to a new generation. (biological description)
The painting was performed by O. F. Khludova, possibly as a supplement to the earlier series “Biopsychology of Lower Animals” by N. N. Kondakov. The painting is a characteristic example of the artist’s creative work — her best paintings depict marine fauna. Olga Florentyevna Khludova (1913-1975) was a biologist and artist. She was the first wife of the ichthyologist N. N. Kondakov and an enthusiast of diving, which was new to the USSR during those years. That sport became an excellent opportunity for the artist to study the aquatic world and its residents. (description of the work and information about the author)
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