David Shepherd: His Early Career

Renowned for his paintings of African wildlife and steam locomotives, David Shepherd gained international recognition for his technical realism and atmospheric compositions. After leaving Stowe School in Buckinghamshire, Shepherd became a self-taught artist before studying under Robin Goodwin for three years.

He spent much of his early career painting aircraft and was reportedly known for setting up his easel on the tarmac at Heathrow Airport. He secured several commissions from commercial airlines before later being appointed an official artist to the Royal Air Force. In 1960, the RAF sent him to Kenya to paint its landscapes and wildlife, where his first African painting depicted a rhinoceros standing on a runway. That same year, Shepherd held his first solo exhibition in London.

Wildlife Conservation

His visit to Africa sparked a lifelong commitment to wildlife conservation, which came to define both his artistic practice and charitable endeavours. In 1973, his painting Tiger Fire raised £127,000 for Indira Gandhi’s Operation Tiger - an initiative established to protect tigers’ natural habitats. Shepherd later founded the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, which remains dedicated to combating wildlife crime and protecting endangered species across Africa and Asia. His wildlife paintings are especially admired for their profound sense of empathy and vulnerability, qualities beautifully expressed in his work, A Tiger Cub.

Steam Locomotives & Railway Heritage

Alongside his commitment to conservation, Shepherd maintained a lifelong passion for steam locomotives. Over the course of his life, he acquired and restored several engines, including 9F Black Prince No. 92203 and Class 4MT No. 75029 The Green Knight. Shepherd’s friendship with Sir William was founded on their shared enthusiasm for steam locomotives, and his painting of Flying Scotsman, offered in the collection, stands as an exceptional tribute to their admiration for Britain’s railway heritage.

Writing in The Railway Magazine, Shepherd succinctly put: “You can always build another steam loco, but you can’t build another tiger.”

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Auction Details

Wednesday 12 August, 10.30am BST
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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