339

VERSO
Label, Tryon Gallery, London, England

Reflecting on his first encounter with elephants in the wild, 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.”

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

Important Notice: Statements of condition are provided as a service to potential bidders and reflect educated opinions, not facts. All painting frames are sold “as is.” The Coeur d’Alene Art Auction assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions.