Friendship by Gary Hodges

Lions 'Boy' and 'Christian' feature here, big cats that meant so much to the late Bill Travers (1922-1994), husband of fellow conservationist Virginia McKenna OBE.

Boy rose to fame in the 'Born Free' movie (1964) that the actors starred in together and 'The Lion at World's End (1971)' documentary that Bill directed about Christian.

Also known simply as 'George Adamson With Lions.'

This special drawing by Gary was commissioned by the stars of the 'Born Free' film (1964), and real life married couple, Virginia McKenna and the late Bill Travers - on the memorial of George Adamson.

In the movie they starred as George and Joy Adamson, the real life conservationists that raised the orphan 'Elsa' the lioness, seen in Gary’s limited edition ‘The Spirit Of Elsa.’

Virginia & Bill would go on to become titans in the Conservation world, and eventually launch the 'Born Free Foundation' in 1984 with their son Will.

This drawing would later be releases as a charity limited edition print (no doubt raising monies for the foundation) and Gary would also release the lions in the picture as the separate best selling print known as 'Friendship.'

Read more about this drawing in a Country Life article: 'My favourite painting: Virginia McKenna.'