Leonard Pearman (British, 1912-2003) Siberian Tiger

Leonard Pearman (British, 1912-2003) oil on board of a tiger, signed lower left, framed dimension 94 x 68cm 

Superb oil painting by the well known Wildlife artist Leonard Pearman. This painting was reproduced as a limited edition print, this is an original oil on board. 

Wildlife painter, born in Birmingham. In 1937 he enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, learning to fly as a sergeant pilot. During World War II, he was a flying instructor; became involved in the big raid on Cologne in May 1942, being captured after bailing out from his Mosquito while on a photographic reconnaissance mission; and was detained at Stalag Luft III, at Sagan in Silesia, where he helped forge escape documents. In the bitter winter of 1944–5 Pearman took part in the terrible Long March of prisoners of war to the west, eventually being released to the Americans by the Russians. He became a senior executive with Michelin in London until retirement in 1978, then devoted himself to painting.