A male lion is depicted seated within tall grass, facing forward with its mane merging into surrounding vegetation. The background consists of loosely articulated foliage and a pale sky, offering limited spatial recession. Shepherd employs oil paint in layered applications, using variations of ochre, brown and muted green to integrate the animal into its environment. The lion’s facial features are defined through tonal modelling rather than line, with texture playing a significant role across the surface. Painted during Shepherd’s mature period, the work relates to his long engagement with African wildlife subjects following repeated visits to Kenya and neighbouring regions. Lions appear frequently in Shepherd’s practice, reflecting direct encounters during field trips undertaken alongside conservation initiatives from the 1960s onwards.