MAJESTIC MENAGERIE IV
A menagerie can be defined as a collection of exotic and unique animals, and the term also refers to a precursor to modern zoos which also showcases exotic animals. In the 18th century, the term menagerie is used for animal collections by aristocrats or royals who seek to display their power and wealth because exotic animals are quite difficult to acquire and harder to maintain. The natural world, however, had a vast collection of diverse life which can be considered unique in their own ways.
Majestic Menagerie Vol. 4, acrylic on canvas, 2020. Set of 9, each piece 8" X 8"
Armadillos
Little and Large, acrylic on canvas, 2020
Two armadillo species are depicted in this painting: the giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) and the pink fairy armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus). They are the largest and smallest species of armadillo respectively. Both these species can be found in South America, and the pink fairy armadillo can only be found in Argentina.
Chameleons
Calm Chameleons, acrylic on canvas, 2020
The painting depicts two distinct species of chameleons: the panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) and the three-horned Jackson's chameleon (Trioceros jacksoni). They are known for their long, prehensile tails and their ability to change the color of their skin as a form of communication. Chameleons can be found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and India.
Frogs
Fabulous Frogs, acrylic on canvas, 2020
There is a wide variety of large frogs that can be distinguished by patterns. The two species of frogs seen in the painting are the goliath frog (Conraua goliath) and the Argentine horned frog or "Pac-Man" frog (Ceratophrys ornata). The goliath frog is the biggest frog in the world, and it could grow to the size of some house cats. The Argentine horned frog is known for its red-colored spots which complements the bright green color of its body. It is often called the "Pac-Man" frog for its insatiable appetite and the way it eats.
Doucs
Doucs, acrylic on canvas, 2020
The doucs are a group of monkeys which are native to Vietnam, eastern Laos and northeastern Cambodia. There are three species of doucs and all three are depicted in the painting: the black-shanked douc (Pygathrix nigripes, left), the red-shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus, center) and the gray-shanked douc (Pygathrix cinerea, right). The doucs are leaf-eating monkeys which are closely related to the proboscis monkey of Borneo.
Leopards
Light and Dark, acrylic on canvas, 2020
Black panthers are actually leopards which have a genetic condition called melanism, which cause their fur to have excessive black pigments, making them have a black coat. Melanism in leopards is caused by a recessive gene. This genetic condition also occurs in its South American cousin, the jaguar, where it is caused by a dominant gene.
Sumatran Rhinoceros
Tiger and Rhino, acrylic on canvas, 2020
The Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is one of the five species of rhinoceros and one of the rarest, currently living only in the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It shared its habitat with the world's smallest species of tiger, the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica). Both the rhinoceros and tiger are critically threatened in their home range.
Saiga Antelope
Saiga, acrylic on canvas, 2020
The saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) is a critically-endangered antelope found in the steppes and grasslands of Central Asia, especially in Kazakhstan and Mongolia. These antelopes are known from their thick coat, slightly-translucent horns and large noses. The large nose functions to filter dust and warm the air when breathing during cold weather.
Kangaroos
Kangaroos, acrylic on canvas, 2020
The two largest species of kangaroo are the red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) and the Eastern gray kangaroo (Macropus giganteus). Beside the differences in fur color, the kangaroos have a difference in their diet: red kangaroos feed on shrubs while gray kangaroos graze on grass. Although the red is better known, the eastern gray is the most commonly-encountered kangaroo in Australia, due to its ability to adapt to changing environments.
Zebra
Grassland Grazers, acrylic on canvas, 2020
The grasslands of Africa is home to herbivores such as zebra and blue wildebeest. The two zebra species in the painting are the Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi) and the Grant's zebra (Equus quagga boehmi). The Grevy's zebra can be distinguished from other species of zebra for its narrow stripes and larger ears. The Grant's zebra is a subspecies of plains zebra, the most common of the three types of zebra.
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