PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Peter Hearsey of the Automotive Fine Arts Society has been selected to create the official poster artwork for the 2009 Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex. The 12th annual drive will take place Aug. 13, 2009, and trace portions of historic 17-Mile Drive and other thrilling coastal roadways.
Hearsey’s painting honors the talents of legendary coachbuilder Zagato by featuring a 1965 Alfa Romeo TZ2 Competition FIA GT Berlinetta. It will be on display during the AFAS art exhibit at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® on Aug. 16, 2009, on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links®.
“I was surprised but thrilled to be chosen as a Pebble Beach artist,” said Hearsey. “The Tour d’Elegance has become a favorite gathering each year prior to the Concours. As an auto racing enthusiast, I’ve always enjoyed watching these elegant classic cars in motion, navigating the spectacular turns in and around the peninsula.”
In his poster, Hearsey focuses on one of the most famous mid-century Zagato creations, a red 1965 Alfa Romeo TZ2 Competition FIA GT Berlinetta. Hearsey captures the racecar speeding along the Pebble Beach coast, with another racer in the distance struggling to keep up. The background includes a blue California sky, sailboats and a trio of the Monterey Peninsula’s signature cypress trees.
Like many pioneering coachbuilders, Ugo Zagato applied construction and engineering techniques from the aircraft industry following World War I to fuel the growing demand for automobiles. But few did it with as much flair and attention to detail as Zagato. Many of the Italian’s most famous cars were built during the mid 1960s and into the ’70s, when automotive power and performance reached levels once believed impossible.
“This particular Zagato race car was a fitting centerpiece for the poster,” added Hearsey. “The Alfa Romeo TZ2 featured the stylish but functional lines that made Zagato one of the most accomplished designers of his time. And the setting pulls the entire piece together. I chose it because the scene includes so many identifiable aspects of the area that make the Tour such an exciting, memorable event.”
After growing up in London and studying at Kingston-upon-Hull College of Art from 1960-1964, Hearsey enjoyed a successful creative career at a large advertising agency and later as a freelance illustrator. In 1977, he moved to the Isle of Man, where the island’s rich motor sports heritage inspired him to paint full time and specialize in automobiles.
A master impressionist, Hearsey is known worldwide for his ability to move seamlessly from the earliest decades of motoring to current Formula One cars. His attention to detail combined with his exploration of color and tone give his work a distinctive and personal quality. Hearsey has been a member of the AFAS since 1993. His many awards include four “Awards of Excellence” from the Meadowbrook Hall Concours and four AFAS “Athena Awards of Excellence” at Pebble Beach.
He has been commissioned by Ford Motor Company, Rolls-Royce and the Indianapolis Hall of Fame Museum, among others. Hearsey has also created the official poster for Lord March for the famed Goodwood Festival of Speed since the event’s inception in 1993.
For more information about Peter Hearsey and his artwork, visit www.peterhearsey.com.
About the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance:
First conducted in 1950, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has grown to be the world’s premier celebration of the automobile. Only the rarest and most beautiful cars are invited to appear on the famed 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links, and connoisseurs of art and style flock to see these masterpieces.
Charitable donations raised by the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance now total over $12 million. Related events include the Pebble Beach Tour d’EleganceTM presented by Rolex, Pebble Beach RetroAutoTM, and the Pebble Beach® Auction. Pebble Beach, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, and Pebble Beach RetroAuto are trademarks, service marks and trade dress of Pebble Beach Company. All rights reserved.
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
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