"Portrait of a Leopard"
(2006)
14 Inches x 11 Inches
Enamel/Acrylic on panel Board
ORIGINAL FOR SALE - Price on Request

The most secretive and elusive of the large carnivores, the Leopard is the subject of Richard T. Slone’s latest painting. Pound for pound, it is the strongest climber of the large cats and capable of killing prey much larger than itself. Leopards are primarily nocturnal, usually resting during the daytime in trees or thick bush. The spotted coat provides almost perfect camouflage. Slone has masterfully colored the painting and at a glance it’s easy to see why Richard is fast becoming one of the worlds most sought after artists.

Slone embarked on a series of big cats in 2005 and this latest release ‘Portrait of a Leopard’ is his first of 2006. Slone has selected a medley of colors to render the handsome head of this upper class feline, the spots, or rosettes, are perfectly colored in a typical Slone style.

When a leopard stalks prey, it keeps a low profile and slinks through the grass or bush until it is close enough to launch a stealth attack. Slone’s rendition of the Leopard is open to the viewer’s opinion; a closer look gives the cat both look of predator and prey. When not hunting, it can move through herds of antelopes without unduly disturbing them by flipping its tail over its back to reveal the white underside, a sign that it is not seeking prey.

Leopards are basically solitary and go out of their way to avoid one another. Each animal has a home range that overlaps with its neighbors; the male's range is much larger and generally overlaps with those of several females. A leopard usually does not tolerate intrusion into its own range except to mate. Unexpected encounters between leopards can lead to fights. Leopards growl and spit with a screaming roar of fury when angry and they purr when content.

Leopards have long been preyed upon by man. Their soft, dense, beautiful fur has been used for ceremonial robes and coats. Different parts of the leopard the tail, claws and whiskers are popular as fetishes. These cats have a reputation as wanton killers, but research does not support the claim.
“After months of study, I decided to paint the leopard straight on. These animals are amazing and after spending times around them, I learned so much about them and their love of privacy. They are very powerful creatures and the head on pose was my only choice. There’s tons of paintings of leopard’s out there, most show the entire body, and detailed spots – I wanted to capture the cat, not the coat” said Slone “When the leopard’s eyes look right at you, there is a bond and that’s what I wanted to convey. They have a very strong stare”.

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Status of Original: AVAILABLE


Contact Artist Agent Joel Berman for more info.
Call (702)354-3665 or Email Joel now.

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