African Lion Painting – Eyes of the Pride
Oil on Canvas,
US$
979
881
|
African Lion Painting – Eyes of the Pride
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Details
Oil on Canvas
Abstract Realism, Drips, Inks, Acrylic underpainting
W: 580mm x H: 840mm x D: 20mm
W: 23" x H: 33" x D: 1"
Approx. Weight: 1kg
This work is
unframed
Price
US$ 881
Scale
Reference
IDA-2026-13
About "African Lion Painting – Eyes of the Pride"
African Lion Painting - Eyes of the Pride celebrates the unwavering gaze of one of Africa's most iconic predators. Rather than portraying the lion in motion or engaged in the hunt, this painting focuses on something far more compelling--his eyes. Calm, watchful and deeply intelligent, they reveal the quiet authority of a mature male whose presence alone protects the pride.
When I began this painting, I was fascinated by the lion's eyes. They became the heart of the composition and the reason for the title. Everything else was intentionally simplified into expressive abstract realism so that nothing would compete with the intensity of his gaze. The viewer is drawn immediately into an encounter with the lion, where every brushstroke serves to emphasise the eyes as the true centre of the story.
For me, the male lion represents far more than physical strength. He is the guardian of the pride--the one whose vigilance allows others to live in safety. His power is not expressed through aggression, but through confidence, restraint and an unwavering awareness of everything around him. The painting explores the quiet authority that comes from responsibility rather than dominance.
The expressive abstraction surrounding the face reflects the raw energy of the African wilderness. Layers of bold brushwork dissolve into movement and texture, allowing realism to emerge where it matters most. The whiskers, muzzle and especially the eyes anchor the painting, while the surrounding abstraction invites the imagination to complete the rest. This balance between realism and abstraction creates both emotional intensity and visual depth.
Lions remain one of Africa's most iconic wildlife species, yet populations continue to face pressures from habitat loss and human conflict. Learn more about lion conservation through Panthera's Lion Program.
Painted using professional artist-grade oils with expressive acrylic ink drips, the flowing marks introduce another layer of symbolism. The drips suggest untamed energy, the fierce struggle for survival and the harsh realities of life in the wild. They may even evoke the bloodshed that accompanies survival, yet they never overwhelm the dignity of the lion himself. Instead, they reinforce the tension between beauty, strength and the relentless forces of nature.
The warm ochres, deep blues, rich earth tones and luminous highlights create a commanding focal point while celebrating the colours of the African landscape. Every mark contributes to the emotional impact of the painting without distracting from its central message.
Eyes of the Pride is ultimately a portrait of leadership. It reminds us that true strength is often found not in force, but in quiet confidence, constant vigilance and the willingness to stand watch over those entrusted to our care. Long before a lion roars, his eyes have already spoken.
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View all 24 works by Ida Lombard
About Ida
Ida Lombard is a South African contemporary artist whose work explores light, nature, movement and the emotions hidden within a moment. Her distinctive Abstract Realism combines expressive oil painting, acrylics and mixed media to move beyond literal representation and reveal the atmosphere and feeling within her subjects.
Her connection with art began in childhood, influenced by time spent exploring the natural world and early exposure to the discipline of painting. After formal art studies and more than four decades of continued independent practice, Ida has developed a highly expressive visual language characterised by textured surfaces, energetic brushwork, palette-knife marks, expressive drips and layered colour.
Wildlife, landscapes, seascapes, botanical subjects and portraits recur throughout her work, with themes of light, stillness, vulnerability, endurance, hope and transformation. Rather than simply reproducing what she sees, Ida seeks to capture the spirit of a subject--the quiet tension beneath stillness, the movement within a landscape, or the emotional presence of an animal.
Today, Ida works full-time from her Johannesburg studio, creating original paintings for private collectors in South Africa and internationally. Her work is influenced by the expressive energy of artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Vladimir Volegov, as well as the storytelling power found in South African wildlife art.
Each painting is created as an original work, with professional artist-quality materials and a Certificate of Authenticity.
Price Range
US$ 93-1,546
Email
Exhibitions
Art Festival - 1980
Art in the Park - 2000
Education
Art as a subject with distinction in matric - 1980
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