barry rowe brings mysterious winner of first monaco grand prix to life in feature painting at amelia island

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. – Feb. 23, 2010 - Renowned artist and Automotive Fine Arts Society member Barry Rowe has depicted the talented, yet mysterious winner of the inaugural Monaco Grand Prix in his feature painting for the 2010 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance on March 11-14, 2010, in Amelia Island, Fla. The 40” x 30” acrylic on canvas titled “The First Monaco Grand Prix” captures the soon-to-be-crowned champion “Williams” behind the wheel of a Bugatti Type 35B as he powers through a turn at the famed street course. The original painting will be available during the 15th annual AFAS Amelia Island art show, which is sponsored by Mazda North America.

“The Monaco Grand Prix is a special race with a rich heritage,” said Rowe. “Few stories from this splendid event are as interesting as the first race, especially since it was won by a virtual unknown who entered the race under an alias. Historical races have been an interest of mine since childhood and I truly enjoy exploring them on canvas. It’s rewarding to bring those pieces to Amelia, where attendees share my passion for the sport.”

William Grover-Williams entered the first Monaco Grand Prix in 1929 under the pseudonym “Williams.” The Anglo-Frenchman raced motorcycles and cars as a youngster under the alias to keep his activities hidden from family members and to mask his true age. He reached Monaco in 1929 as a mystery to his competitors and beat the highly favored 7.1-liter Mercedes of Rudi Caracciola.

The No. 12 Bugatti Type 35B piloted by Williams was clad in what would later be known as the famous “British Racing Green” paint. The 35B racer was the final version of the Type 35 series built in 1927; only 45 examples were produced. The 2.3-liter engine was supercharged to push the car up to 138 mph.

Rowe will also exhibit another acrylic on canvas painting commemorating the first Monaco GP. The two historic racing paintings, along with several other originals from Rowe’s studio, will be part of the AFAS’s 15th annual Amelia Island art show. Held at the magnificent Ritz-Carlton Hotel and The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach, the Amelia Island Concours is among the most popular automotive events in the country. Celebrities, industry leaders, art collectors and automotive enthusiasts regularly attend the annual event and the AFAS exhibit.

A native of England, Rowe studied graphic design at the College of Art in Coventry. He worked for several years as an art director in the advertising field before becoming a freelance artist in 1966 in order to pursue his passion for painting automobiles.

Rowe Honors the First Monaco GP at Amelia Island (2/2)
His career as a painter began when he won the Sotheby’s Art Award for his portrait of Juan Fangio. This led to commissions from Louis Vuitton of Paris, Royal Mail, Royal Doulton and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. At the annual Pebble Beach Concours, Rowe’s credentials include eight Tour posters, four official Concours posters, six Awards of Excellence and the Lincoln Award in 2006. He was recently chosen by the Pebble Beach Concours to create their 2010 Tour d’Elegance poster for the ninth time. He recently completed an “Artist in Residence” commission aboard Royal Caribbean's latest cruise liner Oasis of the Seas, where he painted a 1935 Auburn Boat-tail Speedster 1935 live.

About the Automotive Fine Arts Society
AFAS was established in 1983 by a group of artists who are acknowledged by critics to be among the best in their field. Members work in many diverse mediums including oil, watercolors, acrylics, wood, gouache, pen & ink, clay and metal. AFAS participates in select shows across the country including the Pebble Beach Concours d´Elegance and the Amelia Island Concours d´Elegance. Information about AFAS is available at www.autoartgallery.com or by calling Luke DeRouen at 214.520.3430 ext. 301 or lderouen@tprm-usa.com.