Simon Coombes, 1940-2004

Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner

Simon Coombes, An African Experience, 1989, p. 15

Original canvas. In good condition. Ultraviolet light reveals no sign of retouching. Held in a simple wooden frane with canvas inset.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Simon Coombes, born in Shaftesbury, Dorset in 1940, moved to an 800 acre farm in Kenya's Great Rift Valley with his family when he was 6 years old. At the age of 18 he began serving in the Kenya Regiment and received a commission in the King's African Riffles. His military career included action during the guerrilla war in Somalia, the foundation and leadership of Kenya's airborne unit and a promotion to Major by the age of 24.

Coombes initially began to draw as a means of occupying his time during periods of military inactivity and took nomadic tribesmen, wildlife and the surrounding landscape as a natural and immediate source of inspiration. His passion for African wildlife and the beauty of this dramatic landscape, coupled with his exceptional technical ability as a painter, led him to devote most of his life to his art as well as to the conservation of his beloved subject matter. Beware the Intruder, executed at the height of his carreer, encapsulates Coombes' precise handling and observation of the majestic beasts he paints with remarkable sensitivity and skill.