Charging Rhino
Robert Bateman Hand Signed Artist Proof 20″ x 32.5″
Edition Size: 56
“The black rhinoceros is a prehistoric-looking beast. In fact, although it is highly evolved, it does have a very ancient history. He and his ancestors roamed the plains of this planet long before man appeared. There used to be many more species including mighty giants, and they used to be found in many more parts of the world. There is evidence that man was responsible for much of the extinction in the early days. There is no doubt that man is responsible for bringing all the remaining rhinoceroses to the brink of extermination in modern time.
When I started to visit Africa in the late 1950’s, the black rhino was far more common than it is now. In fact, in the last ten years, the population has dropped by 90%. This was done by poachers for the ridiculous market in dagger hilts and oriental aphrodisiacs.
In this painting I have tried to show him in his bold and rugged defiance.” Robert Bateman
(From the original painting Charging Rhino – 1965 – 30″ x 48″ Acrylic)
