Leroy Neiman (1921-2012, USA) "Portrait of the Leopard" - This is an open edition lithograph of the original 1997 painting, hand signed in black marker. The unframed work of art measures 28" x 23." From : On a painting safari to the renowned park ranges of Kenya, LeRoy Neiman executed dozens of paintings and drawings of African wildlife, many of which are featured in his book, LeRoy Neiman on Safari. Taken from one of the most beautiful paintings in the book, "Portrait of the Leopard" is presented as a welcome new addition to Neiman's famously successful series of African animal prints. Ancients proclaimed leopards to be animal of the moon, while lions were animals of the sun. LeRoy Neiman calls leopards strictly upper class, the most elegant of the larger felines. Graceful nocturnal stalkers, the great spotted cats are just as imperial as lions in bearing, but solitary rather than social. Calculating, patient and persistent, they spend much of their time up in trees, blending in with leaves and shadows. The featured serigraph is an intimate portrait of the leopard in its favored setting. As in the wild, the viewer must take care not to lose sight of the well-camouflaged predator. Green eyes, attentive and intelligent, peer out from behind spots and flora of gold, orange, red and lilac. The colors are offset by snowy undercoat and long, luxurious whiskers.