South African wildlife paintings of the endangered and extinct
Wildlife paintings are often the only visual records that remain of animals that have ceased to be. The unfortunate Dodo, Caspian Tiger, Irish Deer and Quagga are all archetypal images of the extinct.
Global warming, burgeoning human populations, shrinking environments, pollution and pesticides continue to take their dreadful toll on the well-being of the planet’s wildlife. At last count nearly 20% of South Africa’s animal species were endangered or threatened!
Early South African artists including Thomas Baines and Thomas Bowler faithfully recorded colonial life in sweeping landscapes and detailed portraits of both man and beast.
Early South African wildlife art
Baines in particular produced a prodigious collection of sketches and paintings of animals he encountered on his expeditions. He would often wait patiently for the end of the hunt to record dead animals in detail as is evident in his painting ‘White Rhinoceroses shot by James Chapman at his scherm at the pool of Kangyou, on the night of June 1st, 1862”.
Natural history writer, Rev. JG Wood left both sketches and a detailed description of the Quagga in his book “Illustrated Natural History”, an animal that was an intriguing blend of wild Ass and Zebra. Plentiful in the 1840’s, the Quagga was eradicated in 30 short years by hunters!
The Cape Lion, the largest of the big cats of Africa, used to roam the Cape Province near Cape Town. The last of the extinct African species was hunted down and killed in 1865. Dutch Master, Rembrandt van Rijn recorded the beast in a poignant drawing in the 17th century, underlying the magnificence of the large predator, identified by black tips on the ears and impressive black manes.
Popular contemporary wildlife subjects under threat
South Africa’s wildlife is defined by the ‘Big Five’ mammals – Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino and Leopard. The startling fact is that three of the five are under threat, with the Black Rhino on the critically endangered list and the Elephant and Lion rated vulnerable.
A host of other popular wildlife art subjects are being pushed closer and closer to the brink of extinction with the Mountain Zebra, the African Wild Dog, the Cheetah and a host of other land and marine creatures featuring prominently on the ‘Red List of Threatened Species”.
Sadly, it is highly likely that many of the animals that feature in South Africa’s popular wildlife art genre will one day simply not exist. Rhino poaching, the senseless killing of predators by farmers and dwindling bush environments are already making an enormous impact on the well-being of South Africa’s wildlife.
South African wildlife art is not only about its aesthetic appeal, it is also a significant record of the continent’s creatures. By depicting animals in their natural environments, South African artists are creating awareness as to the vulnerability or endangered status of these glorious beasts.
Where to find wildlife paintings
You can find masterful examples of the wildlife art genre at a host of galleries or at Fine Art Portfolio, an online gallery showcasing works by leading South African artists including David Bucklow, Sue Dickinson, Michael Tancrel and Sharon Tancrel.
Browse the genre and artists online and then invest in an art work depicting South Africa’s diverse wildlife. Who knows, it may one day be the last valuable record of an animal shoved indiscreetly off the planet for perpetuity!
