Mbogo Mkuu
$595.00
Editorial View
The Gallery's Perspective
A quiet, watchful moment holds the canvas: a female leopard perched in the crook of a tall acacia, eyes intent and body coiled as if listening for danger. The tree’s sturdy trunk divides the picture vertically, giving the leopard a safe, elevated island above the wide golden grasses below where four hyenas patrol, their low silhouettes and restless stance suggesting persistent threat rather than immediate attack. Warm late-afternoon light bathes the plain and models the leopard’s spotted coat with careful clarity, while the sky—soft blues and layered clouds—adds a calm, open backdrop that heightens the sense of exposure and refuge at once. There’s a clear tension between solitude and vulnerability here: the leopard’s elevation reads as both protection and waiting, while the distant horizon and sweeping grasslands remind us of the fragile balance between predator and prey in the wild. The painting’s natural palette and meticulous detail invite a contemplative response—this is less a scene of violence than a study of survival, patience, and the quiet strategies animals use to find sanctuary.
The Artwork
About Sanctuary
Sanctuary<br> LIMITED EDITION CANVAS
“With no remains of a kill to be seen,” recounts artist Guy Combes, “it took me a while to figure out what had happened here before I arrived. The beautiful female leopard perched precariously in the fork of a boscia tree¯for which the Maasai Mara is famous¯looked like she had either just fed or was expecting cubs and three hyenas circled its base. My conclusion was that she had successfully hunted in the early dawn, managed to drag her quarry into the tree, partially fed, but then lost the remainder of her prey to the hyenas. Leopards and hyenas are both fearsome predators, but if outnumbered a leopard is far better off retreating to safety. The leopard’s phenomenal ability to climb trees is essential, not only for keeping prey away from others, but also to reach sanctuary when faced with danger. The hyenas finally lost interest and moved away, allowing this leopard to descend and slink off to a nearby ravine.”
Guy is fresh off his “Old World-New World” Joint Exhibition (with Greenwich Workshop artist Andrew Denman) at Nature in Art Museum in the United Kingdom. He is a signature member of the Society of Animal Artists, Artists for Conservation and last year was the first ever winner of the International Artists Magazine wildlife competition.
Guy is fresh off his “Old World-New World” Joint Exhibition (with Greenwich Workshop artist Andrew Denman) at Nature in Art Museum in the United Kingdom. He is a signature member of the Society of Animal Artists, Artists for Conservation and last year was the first ever winner of the International Artists Magazine wildlife competition.
Collector Details
What to Know About This Piece
Product-specific details, edition information, provenance, and special considerations are shown here when applicable.
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
Buy with confidence
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.
Passage of Promise Museum
$3,250.00
Passage of Promise Masterwork
$850.00
Passage of Promise Masterwork
$1,950.00
Personal Gallery Assistance
Questions before adding this piece to your collection?
We are happy to help with availability, shipping, edition details, or purchasing questions.