Passage of Promise Museum
$3,250.00
Editorial View
The Gallery's Perspective
There is an immediate, watchful presence in this image—the buffalo’s heavy head and curved horns emerging from a tangle of reeds feels both intimate and a little unnerving. The artist’s attention to surface and light makes the coarse hide and battered horn edges read convincingly tactile, while the long, cool green blades of grass create a natural frame that both conceals and reveals. The animal’s direct, steady gaze and low, shadowed muzzle suggest caution and quiet strength rather than overt movement, so the work settles into a charged stillness: you sense the latent power beneath calm. Subtle shifts in green through the background give depth without distraction, keeping the emphasis on the animal’s weathered features and the sense of a life shaped by survival. As an image, it brings an elemental, wildlife intimacy into a room—tough, dignified, and quietly compelling.
The Artwork
About Mbogo Mkuu
Mbogo Mkuu - Guy Combes encountered this mbogo mkuu (chief buffalo) at a wildlife sanctuary near his home at Soysambu in Kenya. By the lake, among the reeds, is where the old buffalo bulls go when theyve been ousted from the herd. "You sometimes see them in pairs or on their own,€ says the artist, "but when theyve been ejected from the herd they tend to be very defensive and aggressive.
"In addition to the attitude, the buffalo has evolved his fearsome horns. Buffalo are primary prey for lions and to bring down a full-grown buffalo usually takes up to three or four lionesses. To be able to fight off three or four large lions, a buffalo needs some ammunition."
Collector Details
What to Know About This Piece
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About the Collection
Guy Combes is a renowned wildlife artist celebrated for his realistic paintings of African wildlife. Born in Kenya in 1971, he is the son of the esteemed artist Simon Combes. Guy's work intricately portrays the beauty and complexity of animals in their natural habitats, reflecting his deep commitment to conservation and environmental advocacy. He is actively involved with the Soysambu Conservancy in Kenya, dedicating efforts to habitat preservation. His art not only captivates viewers but also raises awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife and their ecosystems. Guy's paintings are featured in galleries and exhibitions worldwide, solidifying his place in contemporary wildlife art.
Artist Signature
Signed by the artist
This piece is artist signed and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
Image Rights
Image copyright © 2026 by Guy Combes.
Authorized Source
Authenticity & Documentation
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Limited-edition artwork includes a Certificate of Authenticity when one is issued by the artist, publisher, studio, or authorized source. Open-edition pieces may not include a certificate; this does not affect their authenticity. The Collection Shop sources artwork through artists, publishers, authorized distributors, galleries, and other approved channels. Any additional documentation included with this specific piece will be noted above.
GUY COMBES was born in Kenya in 1971, the son of the late wildlife artist, Simon Combes. At the age of eight, Guy moved to school in England for the remainder of his education. His interest in art developed throughout this schooling and at home where he began to learn technique from his father. After school he started at Cheltenham Art College where he experimented further with visual creativity in sculpture and three dimensional design, and then went on to study interior design at the Inchbald in London. Guy returned to Kenya in 1992 and spent the following eight years between there and England.
In 2001 Guy moved to Soysambu, a 48000 acre ranch in the Rift Valley where his father was living with his second wife, Kat. Here Guy took on a management job at a tourist camp and worked towards an exhibition of paintings depicting the Swahili Coast, inspired by a visit to Zanzibar. The exhibition was at Peponi Hotel in Lamu and sold out. Guy then began working towards another exhibition in Nairobi and this was also successful.
Since then Guy has been concentrating full time on painting, exhibiting and visiting various trade shows around the US. He intends to pursue painting as a career while helping with various conservation issues in Kenya, the most important of these being the development of Soysambu ranch into a protected conservancy, which will guarantee an essential wildlife corridor in the spectacular Rift Valley.
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