It took four years to create this portrait, with several failed attempts between 2017 and 2021. Lugard was perhaps the most outstanding living tusker in Africa, and any portrait of him needed to honour his presence without compromise.

From the moment I first saw Lugard from the Tsavo Trust Super Cub, I was mesmerised by his immense towers of ivory, and capturing his portrait became a personal ambition.

One of my most unforgettable encounters with Lugard came in 2018 alongside Richard Moller, CEO and Co-Founder of Tsavo Trust. We were approaching Lugard on foot as he rested beneath a tree in the midday heat. As we reached a termite mound for cover, only a few metres away, I stepped on a small stick that sounded deafeningly loud in the silence of the wilderness. Lugard immediately woke and began to warn us, while we remained hidden behind the mound. I managed to capture a photograph through a small opening before we quietly retreated to our vehicle.

Moments like this, away from our modern world, are a powerful reminder that we are only a small part of something far greater than ourselves.

Tragically, on 21st November 2022, Lugard was found dead by Tsavo Trust during a routine reconnaissance flight. Thankfully, he had passed away from natural causes. At an estimated 55 years old, Lugard had lived a remarkable life, although the severe drought affecting Tsavo undoubtedly placed additional pressure on the ecosystem.

The Tsavo Trust, in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), had monitored Lugard for almost nine years, observing him on a near-weekly basis despite Tsavo’s enormous size, an area comparable to Switzerland, and Lugard’s movements between Tsavo East and Tsavo West. This commitment undoubtedly contributed to ensuring he lived a long and natural life.

On 22nd November, I had the privilege of joining Richard Moller to say farewell to this fallen giant and document the end of a remarkable chapter. It was incredibly difficult to see Lugard after his death, but it was also deeply encouraging to witness proof that even Africa’s greatest tuskers can live a full and natural life.

Lugard leaves a legacy far beyond his extraordinary size. Having fathered dozens of offspring and inspired countless people around the world, his movements between Tsavo East and Tsavo West, including navigating railway lines and one of Kenya’s busiest roads, helped highlight the importance of wildlife corridors. His story contributed to the construction of elephant underpasses, including those at Manyani, helping ensure that thousands of elephants can continue moving safely across this vast landscape for generations to come.

The future of Africa’s last great tuskers is far from over. Lugard’s legacy will continue through the elephants he leaves behind and the conservation efforts inspired by his life.

• Available Editions

• Small - 18"x22.71" , Medium - 28"x35.33" , Classic - 38"x47.96"

• Small & Medium - Editions of 8 + 2 Artist Proofs

• Classic - Edition of 6 + 2 Artist Proofs

Artworks are available as strictly limited edition fine art prints through a curated network of leading galleries worldwide and are regularly exhibited at major international art fairs, including Photo London and PAN Amsterdam.

For acquisition enquiries, please complete the contact form to be connected with your nearest representing gallery or visit the Galleries page to see where the work is currently available.

Prices start at $2,500, and our representing galleries will guide you through every stage of the acquisition process, including artwork selection, bespoke framing options and international shipping logistics, ensuring a seamless and professional experience from enquiry to installation.

All of Lewin’s prints are produced to the highest archival standards, ensuring each artwork endures for generations.

He works with Hahnemühle FineArt Baryta paper for its exceptional depth, clarity and tonal range, alongside traditional Ilford Silver Gelatin baryta prints, widely regarded as the gold standard in black-and-white printing. This meticulous process, dating back to the 19th century, carries a proven pedigree and produces unparalleled richness, permanence and archival integrity.

Produced with the precision and artistry of world-class master printers, each print embodies timeless quality and craftsmanship.