24 Heures du Mans, 1939

A large and evocative original oil painting depicting the moments before the start of the legendary 24 hour race at Le Mans, held on 17/18th June 1939. As the drivers run to their cars, the race director, Charles Faroux is seen in the foreground crossing to the pits. Faroux held a particular place in motor sport at the time, having established the Le Mans race in 1923 and held the role of race director for all his life. Crowds line the grandstand, and the artist has captured a dramatic view of the entire field of entries to a vanishing point.

The very advanced supercharged Bugatti Type 57C known as the ‘Tank’ can be seen numbered 1, with Jean-Pierre Wimille about to take the controls. Wimille, with co-driver Pierre Veyron would eventually take victory, just 3 months before World War II, in which they would both serve with distinction as key members of the French Resistance. This imposing oil-on-canvas has been sumptuously framed in a handmade Macassar ebony section (not shown) and is in impeccable condition.

Signed and inscribed a l’ami G.Muller, and dated 1939.

Size: 63 x 40 inches (173 x 102 cm)

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