Robert Bateman (Prints)

New Territory – Black Wolf (Print)

Artist's page

Offset Paper; Edition Size 1500
21.375" x 32" / 53.34cm x 81.28cm
Unframed (US Dollar): $195.00

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(23 x 34; Canvas; Edition Size 350; $550.00 U.S.)

“Mostly, wolves are animals of concealment. For hunting or security, they want to see but not be seen. During a life spent exploring forests and bush country I have seen very few wolves in the wild, but I assume I have been seen by them many times. When a wolf ventures into open country all senses must be even more on the alert than usual. The last wolf I saw in the wild was in fact in one of the wide, open, river valley flats in Yellowstone Park. The time was dusk, so concealment was less of an issue. It was a young, black wolf, all alone trotting through the grasses and sagebrush and occasionally pouncing successfully or unsuccessfully on a mouse, tail wagging like a puppy. In this painting I have shown an adult black wolf in the last light of day tentatively venturing into an open area. It could be a new territory which holds potential dangers or hopeful possibilities. I was thinking of Wyoming, part of the great range of wolves for thousands of years but which European settlers had cleansed of the ‘varmints’. Now, after intense political battles there is a pioneer population, once again venturing into a new yet ancient territory. I enjoyed playing with the simple elements of the composition and the use of emptiness, which is far more meaningful than nothingness. It is connected to Zen and the peaceful openness to infinite possibilities. The lead wolf is looking away from you and into the future. You are part of the following pack. If wildness has a good future, so will humankind.”