David Wrolson passed along the sad news that the great African wildlife and hunting history painter John Seerey-Lester has died of throat cancer at the age of 74.
You seen his work on these pages, depicting scenes of historic hunts in Africa and North America. Karamojo Bell, Frederick Courteney Selous, Jim Corbett and most of all Theodore Roosevelt were subjects that came alive under his brush, along with the wildlife that he loved and did significant work to preserve. His wheelhouse was the early African safari era at the beginning of the 20th century, a period that forms the x-ring of my Frontier Partisan enthusiasms. The gear and the aesthetic were refined to their classic parameters in that era, and Seerey-Lester captured it all with great verve and documented historical accuracy.
I like to think he’s in some artists’ Valhalla, tipping a glass with Charlie Russell and the like, swapping stories of tough men in wild lands and brushing up a glorious sunset for those of us who have yet to take the long trail.
Paintings by John Seerey-Lester.
The great hunter Bill Judd, killed by an elephant in front of his son Jack. Painting by John Seerey-Lester.
T.R. & Skip Headin’ Out. Art by John Seerey-Lester.
“TR & Trigueiro” © John Seerey-Lester. A scene from Roosevelt’s Amazon adventures, which nearly killed him.
John Seerey-Lester depicted one of Jim Corbett’s nerve-straining hunts.
Intrusion by John Seerey-Lester.
Campfire Cohorts by John Seerey-Lester
wayne says
As a member of The Acorn patrol which reinacts camping in the golden age of camping from 1880 to 1930 (before plastic and nylon) and a fan of Theodore Roosevelt, I was drawn to Seely-Lester’s depictions of campfire scenes as soon as I discovered them. Mr. Seerey-Lester generously granted permission to use two of his paintings to illustrate a story I wrote for the Winter, 2018 issue of American Frontiersman magazine about Theodore Roosevelt’s adventures in the Dakotas in the 1880’s. At the time, I corresponded with his wife, Suzie, and found her to be most gracious and helpful. My sympathies go out to her. One of my prized possessions is a signed copy of his book, The Legendary Hunts of Theodore Roosevelt. We’ve lost a great artist of the age of exploration and adventure.
RLT says
“The Acorn Patrol” sounds like a hell of a lot of fun. Love my Paul’s Leader lantern and other vintage kit.
I’d have to give up the air mattress in the back of the Jeep, though!
Matthew says
Beautiful pictures. Terrible shame
Lynne Nisbet says
Would love to have some information on his painting of the Gorillas in the mist.
Title escapes me right now.
A print would be fine for me.
Thank you
Martin Pearce says
I am proud to own 4 prints by John Seerey Lester. Two of which have a personal comment below one with my fathers name. I have lone arctic wolf 1984, 3 wolves on snowy outcropp 1983, rabbit in tall grass 1985 and squirrel on fallen birch 1984. Each signed below print signature.
JimC says
Welcome to the campfire Martin.