Panthera Leo

Pastel – Steven Paul Carlson

Suitably named the King of Beasts, the regal stature of this noble monarch is caught here in a moment of repose. The last rays of the setting Serengeti sun wash across his majestic face and mane. A nocturnal hunter by nature, the coming crepuscular hour marks the beginning of the lion’s workday.

Revered for its legendary strength and bravery, the lion has been a symbol of supremacy throughout recorded history. The full grown male conveys a grandeur and self-assurance like no other animal. His magnificent mane is reminiscent of a king’s ceremonial headdress or an Indian chief’s war bonnet. His roar, a low grumble building in intensity sends a vibrating signal throughout his domain and literally makes the earth quake. All these unique qualities, and more, make the lion the undisputed king of beasts, the Monarch of the Animal Kingdom.

Gicleé prints are available.

Published August 3, 2013 at 1224 × 864 in Panthera Leo