^Lot 19 SANNETTE BOSHOFF: "DIDA, Eternal Queen" - Original Mixed Media on Canvas

"DIDA, Eternal Queen" - Original mixed media on canvas by wildlife artist, Sannette Boshoff. This exquisite art comes galllery wrapped and measures 56"x40". DIDA was probably one of the most iconic elephants from recent times. She lived in Tsavo, Kenya and died of natural causes, due to old age, in November 2022. She was known for her exceptionally long tusks (the longest ever recorded for an African elephant cow). She was estimated to be approximately 65 years old at the time of her death. This is remarkable, taking into consideration that poaching was a huge problem in Kenya in the 1980's and 1990's. She also lived through major droughts, and not only survived them, but raised a number of calves successfully in her lifetime, protecting them and guiding them to taking up their rightful places in the greater Tsavo conservation area. No doubt her genes live on in the Tsavo elephants. The region is undoubtedly one of the last, and greatest "reservoirs" for big tusker genes in Africa. To the artist, DIDA represents not only the female of the species, but ultimately represents the role women play in society. Traditionally the trophies from bulls are recorded, while female trophies are seldom recorded, and yet, she was not only a splendid female elephant - she was a most magnificent example of an almost "ancient" tusker - a reminder of what Africa looked like. Boshoff opted for this side-on view to demonstrate the sheer length of DIDA's tusks. Sannette Boshoff, sannetteboshoffart@gmail.com.