Simon Combes Limited Editions & Originals

Universally celebrated for his uncompromising anatomical realism, dramatic ambient lighting, and lifelong dedication to wildlife conservation, English-born artist Simon Combes (1940–2004) was a preeminent figure in modern wildlife realism. Born in Shaftesbury, England, Combes moved with his family at age six to an 800-acre farm in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, instilling in him a passion for the African bush. After managing a cattle farm as a teenager, Combes was drafted into the King's African Rifles, attending Sandhurst Military Academy and rising to Major while founding and commanding Kenya's elite Parachute Regiment. While serving in remote northern border posts, Combes began sketching local nomadic tribes and wildlife. Following his first sell-out exhibition in Nairobi in 1969, he retired from military service in 1974 to paint full-time. Combes traveled on daring field expeditions across the globe—from snowstorms in Mongolia's Altai Mountains to tiger tracks in India—to study big cats, predators, and megafauna in their natural habitats. Working in rich oils on canvas, high-resolution giclées, and fine lithographs, his technique pairs meticulous fur textures and anatomical draftsmanship with dramatic lighting and deep spatial perspective. Herndon Fine Art specializes in acquiring and evaluating original Simon Combes oil paintings, hand-signed limited edition canvas giclées, and fine art prints. Every piece in our gallery inventory undergoes thorough physical inspection to verify canvas stability, pigment retention, and signature authenticity.

Recipient of the Society of Animal Artists Award of Excellence, named Artist of the Year at the Pacific Rim Wildlife Art Show, and appointed Kenya Representative for the Rhino Rescue Trust, Simon Combes artwork holds a cherished, highly collectible position in global wildlife art markets. Beginning in 1979, his long-standing partnership with publisher The Greenwich Workshop made his work internationally accessible alongside his acclaimed books, An African Experience and Great Cats. Featuring celebrated catalog classics and sought-after estate editions—including Chui, Tension at Dawn, Keeping Distance, Siberian Winter, The Golden Shadow, Eyes of Thunder, and Crossing the Mara—his published hand-signed canvas giclées, lithographs, and original oil canvases command strong, resilient demand on the secondary market. Created in authorized collaboration with The Greenwich Workshop, his published prints preserve the exact atmospheric depth, subtle shadow details, and emotional power of his studio masterworks. Sourcing directly through established private estates and trusted seller partnerships (RH), we provide serious collectors access to lifetime hand-signed graphics, rare Artist Proofs (APs), canvas-edition releases, and archival-framed works with verified provenance.

Evaluating Simon Combes limited edition canvas giclées, offset lithographs, and original oil paintings on the secondary market requires precise technical verification of pencil or paint hand-signatures ("Simon Combes"), edition hand-numbering, publisher blind stamps (such as The Greenwich Workshop), and official gallery Certificates of Authenticity (COAs). Because Combes’s wildlife compositions rely on subtle background lighting, crisp fur detail, and pristine margin fields, inspecting canvas and paper unframed for paper margin foxing, mat acid staining, paint scuffs, canvas sagging, varnish yellowing, or UV color fading across open sky and grassland fields is essential to confirming market value. Herndon Fine Art assists collectors in verifying original publisher documentation, examining archival paper and canvas preservation, and ensuring long-term conservation framing. We deliver clear, transparent guidance to ensure every fine art acquisition is documented and secure.

Whether you are looking to acquire a specific Simon Combes wildlife canvas (Chui, Tension at Dawn) or original oil painting, add an authenticated Greenwich Workshop limited edition to your collection, or discuss options for consigning an authenticated piece, Herndon Fine Art provides personal, experienced guidance. Browse our active available inventory below or contact our gallery directly by phone to discuss private sales, estate acquisitions, and current market valuations.

Simon Combes Fine Art

Every client has different motivations for selling and as such we don't offer pricing on the pieces clients sell

If you are looking for the value of your limited edition artwork -- we have a $50 charge for certificates of value if you provide the title, the number of your piece, and an image of your artwork. Original one-of-a-kind pieces require a formal appraisal. Please see our Appraisal Services page.

Have general questions about fine art prints, originals, or framing? Read our Master Fine Art FAQ Guide.

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