"Departure at Daybreak" Giclée canvas print: 16" x 20", edition size - 100 s/n $775 unframed

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The year is 1909 and it is the beginning of the famous historic safari of former President Theodore Roosevelt, through East Africa.

The huge safari, after traveling from Mombassa had set up camp along the Uganda railway line at Kapiti Plains. They took some four days getting organized before embarking on the actual safari.

As daybreak warmed the chilled air, Roosevelt leads the way out of camp on what was to become one of the most talked and written about safaris in the young history of British East Africa. It was also destined to become the curtain raiser to Americans' exposure to the former dark and mysterious continent. Followed by his askaris (native guards), syces (horse boys) and two gun bearers, Mohamed and Bakari, TR leads the way on his brown pony. Wearing rubber sole shoes, leather-faced khaki pants, an army shirt and sun helmet. In his pocket along with a compass, knife and waterproof matchbox, there is a good-luck rabbit’s foot – a gift from the famous heavyweight-boxing champion, John L. Sullivan. The start of what was to become one of the most famous journeys ever made.

Safari leader, one of the country’s most celebrated white hunters, was Cambridge educated, R.J. Cunninghame. The bearded Cunninghame referred to by the natives as Bwanna Medivu (Master of the beard) is seen in the background of my painting organizing the natives before departure.

This painting does not represent a particularly notable or exciting hunt, but it is meant to be symbolic of the beginning of a great journey made by Roosevelt to gather specimens for Washington’s Smithsonian – the results of which have educated generations upon generations and will continue to do so for years to come.