VERSO
Label, Braarud Fine Art, La Conner, Washington

The artist wrote, “It was on my very first visit to Kenya in 1949 and my abortive attempt to become a game warden that I saw my very first elephants in the wild. The initial impression, and one that has gained strength over the years as I have seen more and more of these magnificent animals in their natural environment, is of one’s own complete insignificance. If armed with a gun, man is powerful, but alone, unarmed, he is nothing. The lion has been termed ‘The King of the Beasts’ and, impressive though he can be, I really cannot quite understand why!

“The elephant is a gentle giant. The warden, who showed me my very first elephant, said ‘If you leave them alone, they will leave you alone.’ Man is the elephant’s only enemy. I can never think of elephants as dangerous. Why should I? They are only dangerous when man has given them reason to be.

“Tsavo, where the earth is red, will always be one of the finest places to see African elephants.”

PROVENANCE
Private collection, Idaho

Additional Resources

• David Shepherd’s Past Results
• View Condition Report

Condition ReportSurface is in excellent condition. No signs of restoration.

Important Notice: Statements of condition are provided as a service to potential bidders; such statements are educated opinions and should not be regarded as facts. The Coeur d’Alene Art Auction has no responsibility for any errors or omissions.