When Peter Beard began photographing the landscape and wildlife of Africa in the 1960s he was motivated both by a deep love for the continent and a desire to bring attention to the devastation occurring throughout the land. In 1970, the elephant population in Africa was estimated to be roughly 1.4 million but drought and poachers took their toll and, today, the population stands at just over 400,000.
This portfolio of 15 gelatin silver prints was self-published by the artist in 2008 and includes his most iconic photographs of elephants taken between 1960 and 1984. Despite being nearly killed by the animal in the 1990s, they remained a source of great inspiration to him and this portfolio is his love letter to the power and beauty of this majestic creature.
Another complete portfolio is currently on view at the Wendell Gilley Museum, Maine in the exhibition Nature’s Masterpiece: Elephant Photographs of Peter Beard through 4 November 2023.