"Departure at
Daybreak"
Giclée canvas print:
16" x 20", edition size - 100 s/n
$775 unframed |
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customers call (941) 484-6164 to place your order. U.S. customers
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Unframed
print - $775 +
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The year is 1909 and it is the beginning
of the famous historic safari of former President Theodore Roosevelt,
through East Africa.
The huge safari, after traveling from
Mombassa had set up camp along the Uganda railway line at Kapiti
Plains. They took some four days getting organized before embarking
on the actual safari.
As daybreak warmed the chilled air, Roosevelt
leads the way out of camp on what was to become one of the most
talked and written about safaris in the young history of British
East Africa. It was also destined to become the curtain raiser
to Americans' exposure to the former dark and mysterious continent.
Followed by his askaris (native guards), syces (horse boys) and
two gun bearers, Mohamed and Bakari, TR leads the way on his
brown pony. Wearing rubber sole shoes, leather-faced khaki pants,
an army shirt and sun helmet. In his pocket along with a compass,
knife and waterproof matchbox, there is a good-luck rabbits
foot a gift from the famous heavyweight-boxing champion,
John L. Sullivan. The start of what was to become one of the
most famous journeys ever made.
Safari leader, one of the countrys
most celebrated white hunters, was Cambridge educated, R.J. Cunninghame.
The bearded Cunninghame referred to by the natives as Bwanna
Medivu (Master of the beard) is seen in the background of my
painting organizing the natives before departure.
This painting does not represent a particularly
notable or exciting hunt, but it is meant to be symbolic of the
beginning of a great journey made by Roosevelt to gather specimens
for Washingtons Smithsonian the results of which
have educated generations upon generations and will continue
to do so for years to come.
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