Description
Along the Ridge – Grizzly Bear – 24″ x 36″, Giclee Canvas, 180 SN and 40 AP, $795.00 U.S.
“My first trip to Alaska was overwhelming . I expected it to be spectacular,
but not overwhelmingly spectacular. Next to East Africa, I consider it the best
place in the world to see large, wild animals.
Mount McKinley National Park (now called Denali National Park) is, in a sense,
the Headquarters for wildlife in Alaska. I had very good views of ptarmigan,
golden eagles, gyrfalcons, carbou, Dall’s sheep and of course, grizzly bears.
On our way into the park on our first evening I conceived of this, my first,
Alaskan painting. It is part of my artistic philosophy to orchestrate a painting
so that the main elements do not compete. I either want the animal or the
landscape to dominate – not both.
The grizzly bear is one of the largest and most imprssive carnivores in the world,
but it is a mere peanut when compared to the awesome landscape. Starting at a
mere 3,000 feet and rising abruptly to 20,320 feet, Mount Mckinley ( Denali)
is considered by many to be the highest mountain in the world from bottom
to top. Nestled around it like courtiers around the king are beautiful mountain
peaks which, although they are lesser, would excel anywhere else in the world.
Usually the great snowy slopes and glaciers of McKinley itself are hidden by cloud.
Then one looks up in the cloudy sky, perhaps to follow the flight of an eagle, and
suddenly that brilliant white cloud reveals itself, not as a cloud, but as the great
Mt. McKinley. That is why I painted it for you to discover after looking at the rest
of the painting. That is the way it is in the real park. Sometimes I hide a little bird
or even a beer can in the picture. I thought that it would bean interesting idea
to hide the largest mountain in North America.
The bears, of course, fit in a small part of the whole as in real life. We saw grizzly
sows and cubs on several occasions but not, of course, at the time and place I
have shown in the picture. The weather is also an important element in any
Alaskan visit as is the onderful light. In this painting I tried to fit the land,
the atmosphere and the wildlife into one moment in time which
could have happened.” – Robert Bateman
Biography
Robert Bateman has been called the most famous living artist. He continues to paint and tour the world to promote conservation and preservation of nature. We have represented Robert Bateman for decades and are now the sole publisher and distributor of his reproductions. We are so honored to work with him and witness his success. He has made such a massive contribution to the art world and the natural world as an artist and educator of the earth’s most important resources.
Nature as a subject is becoming more and more popular as our environment is in peril. What better subject is there than the beautiful creatures we share this world with? Robert Bateman’s appreciation and understanding of nature are apparent in his paintings. He is able to paint flora and fauna the way your eye would perceive it in real life. It is important that the animal takes full attention. The background becomes muted, and therefore it doesn’t take too much focus away from the subject. His paintings seem effortless and masterful all at once.
Bateman’s eye for composition is unparalleled. Each painting is a composed like a symphony, leading the eye to wander. From the backyards of North America to the sprawling plains of Africa. Robert Bateman captures nature the way it should be enjoyed. Above all he is a champion of wildlife. For this reason he has become a household name for art collectors.
