PO bcs 30 1912 Excelsior de course Patrick van der Strict

The composition presents a motorcar in motion, captured against a blurred landscape backdrop. The vehicle dominates the visual field, positioned slightly off-center and angled towards the viewer, conveying a sense of speed and dynamism. Its color is a muted ochre, contrasting with the darker tones of the driver’s attire and the surrounding environment. A large numeral 50 is prominently displayed on the cars body, suggesting its identification within a race or competition.
The driver, clad in what appears to be period racing apparel, is focused intently forward, his posture indicative of concentration and control. He is partially obscured by the vehicle’s structure, emphasizing the machine itself as the primary subject. The wheels are rendered with considerable detail, highlighting their complex construction and contributing to the overall impression of mechanical sophistication.
The background consists of indistinct foliage and a hazy sky, deliberately softened to maintain focus on the motorcar. This blurring technique reinforces the feeling of movement and isolates the vehicle from its surroundings.
Accompanying the image is text in French, detailing the car’s record-breaking performance – specifically, its achievement of a world speed record for covering 50 miles at Brooklands racetrack on November 15, 1912, with an average speed of 164.7 kilometers per hour. The inclusion of this textual information elevates the image beyond a simple depiction of a vehicle; it functions as promotional material celebrating technological advancement and sporting achievement.
Subtly, the work speaks to the burgeoning era of mechanized transportation and its impact on notions of speed, progress, and national pride. The muted color palette and somewhat grainy texture suggest an early photographic process, further grounding the image in a specific historical context. It is likely intended to evoke admiration for both the engineering prowess behind the vehicle and the skill of the driver who piloted it.