The One-Armed Lion Tamer

9" x 12" portrait of Captain Jack Bonavita, animal trainer of the early 20th century. He lost his arm as a result of his encounter with the lion 'Baltimore' at Coney Island in 1904. Captain Bonavita appeared in the arena with 27 lions, a performance which no other trainer had ever attempted. He met his death on March 19, 1917, when he was mauled to death by a polar bear.
Work in progress.