The Gentle Giant Limited edition print and bronze sculpture by David Shepherd and Richard Sefton
A depiction of an African Bull Elephant rooting in a wood pile.
limited edition print of 295 copies by David Shepherd
a limited edition bronze sculpture of the same scene by Richard Sefton
the bronze is one of 95 copies and rarely come up for sale
David Shepherd (1931–2017)
David Shepherd (1931–2017) was a renowned British artist,
best known for his wildlife paintings and conservation
efforts.
Born in 1931 in Hendon, London, Shepherd studied under
the guidance of Robin Goodwin, a professional artist his
career took off when he was commissioned by the Royal
Air Force to paint aviation subjects, which led to a
successful series of paintings and prints.
Despite his early work in aviation art, Shepherd gained
international fame for his wildlife paintings. His depictions
of African wildlife, particularly elephants, became iconic.
His passion for wildlife extended beyond painting; he was
a dedicated conservationist. In 1984, he founded the David
Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, which supports wildlife
conservation projects across Africa and Asia.
Shepherd's work has been exhibited worldwide, and he
received numerous accolades for his contributions to art
and conservation. He was appointed an Officer of the
Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1979 for his services
to wildlife conservation.
In addition to his wildlife art, Shepherd also painted
portraits, landscapes, and steam trains, showcasing his
versatility as an artist. His paintings are characterized by
their attention to detail and ability to capture the essence
of his subjects and his legacy continues through his art
and the ongoing work of his foundation, which remains
active in protecting endangered species and their habitats.
Richard Sefton (1936 – 2008)
After training as an architect and working as a builder for
many years Richard Sefton only turned his hand to
sculpture by chance, while working for former porcelain
company Connoisseur of Malvern.
During his thirty-plus year career as a sculptor he
exhibited and sold work all over the world, proving
particularly successful in America where he had displays
in venues such as the Kennedy Art Centre in Washington.
One of his proudest moments was when his sculpture Get
off my Buck', depicting a cowboy on horseback, was
presented to US president George W Bush.
He was also commissioned by The Household Cavalry to
model Sefton, the famous horse who was severely injured
when an IRA bomb exploded in Hyde Park as the Troop
passed through on their way to the daily changing of the
guard ceremony, coining the expression "Sefton by
Sefton".
He had several collaborations with David Shepherd of
which “The Gentle Giant” depicting an African bull
elephant is the largest and best known.