As Shepherd’s favourite animal, elephants were the subject that the artist returned to most often for his wildlife pictures. Early in his career Shepherd was given the chance to see his first elephants in the wild by Mervyn Cowie, a pioneering conservationist, at Amboseli in Kenya; an experience which was to have a profound effect upon his life’s work. Describing Amboseli as ‘raw, unspoiled Africa’, Shepherd delighted at the opportunity to get close to elephants in great numbers, all the while observing and photographing them for his subject paintings. These such encounters led to a special affinity between the artist and the animal; a connection which found a perpetual outlet in his artistic production.

 

Master's of the Savannah, painted in 1986, depicts three majestic bull elephants in their natural habitat. Each bull is rendered with remarkable precision, emphasising their rugged yet graceful forms. Their large tusks, symbols of strength and vulnerability, curve magnificently, gleaming against the dusty ochre tones of the Savannah. The bulls stand with arresting majesty, their distinct weathered faces and trunks painted in subtle shades of grey. The larger, central bull dominates the composition, while the two elephants behind showcase Shepherd’s remarkable ability to portray the bull elephant from multiple angles, making the piece both a tribute to these magnificent creatures and a stunning display of the artist’s skill.

 

Shepherd’s use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and realism, while the warm tones of the Savannah evoke the heat and aridity of the African landscape. The setting, with deep rugged brush, provides an evocative context, reinforcing the elephants' dominance over their surroundings. The texture of the elephants' skin is rendered with exceptional skill, capturing every crease and wrinkle to convey their age and resilience. The restrained background ensures that the elephants remain the focal point, emphasising their monumental presence.

 

By the late 1980s, Shepherd had established himself as one of the foremost wildlife artists of his time, with a growing international reputation. His work resonated not only for its artistic excellence but also for its role in wildlife conservation. Shepherd founded the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation in 1984 cementing his dual legacy as an artist and conservationist. Shepherd voiced his dismay of the Ivory trade throughout his career in his books, films and he raised funds and awareness for this cause through his powerful depictions of wild Bull elephants, portrayed with their magnificent tusks intact. Shepherd’s paintings were increasingly recognised not only for their technical brilliance but also for their emotive power and impact on public attitudes toward wildlife preservation. In 1990, shortly after painting Masters of the Savannah, Shepherd painted The Ivory is Theirs, a vast work measuring 8 by 4 feet which raised funds for African elephants – a culmination of his fight against the ivory trade. Shepherd’s work continues through his legacy of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation which today continues to raise awareness and assistance for the animals that Shepherd admired and painted throughout his career.