Description: Unique and very special, original mixed media painting of the 1967 Indianapolis 500 race, painted by Nicholas Volpe. Signed and dated. The artist: Nicholas Volpe (1911 – 1992) was an American artist, most highly noted for his portraits of celebrities, presidents, sports figures, and other famous personalities. He is considered one of if not the most significant American illustrators. He held various positions at multiple art and design schools, later moving to Hollywood to design film sets, create makeup, and design costumes. His talent as a highly skilled artist became widely recognized, and as a result, he was given a lifetime contract by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences to paint each year's Oscar winners. In addition to this work, he painted numerous consignment pieces over the next few decades. The subject: A sitting on the edge-of-your-seat finish to the Indianapolis 500 in 1967. Parnelli Jones dominated the race in the radical new STP Paxton Turbocar turbine entered by owner Andy Granatelli. With just laps to go, Jones led, followed by Gordon Johncock in the #3 Gerhardt-Ford and A.J. Foyt in the #14 Coyote-Ford. With just a handful of laps to go, Johncock spun out leaving the race up to Jones and Foyt. A few laps later, the STP Paxton Turbocar came to a stop when a $6 transmission bearing failed. Foyt took the lead just moments later and went on to win his third Indy 500 victory. This painting depicts what was almost an unquestionable 1-2-3 finish by the leaders as they raced down those final laps to the checkered flag! Mixed media, mostly charcoal and pastel. Dated as 1968, as seen with the signature. Framed piece measures 37.75” L x 28.25” W. I’d estimate the painting to be 30x21. Provenance: Unfortunately, the first few decades of ownership are unknown. I purchased the piece from an estate sale from an owner who had also purchased it from an estate sale. Because the subject is not one of Volpe’s typical subjects (in fact there are no other known Volpe pieces of racing or automobiles), we believe it was likely a consignment piece for someone close to the race, the team, or the Granatelli family. If you happen to know, we love to hear more about it!
Price: 275000 USD
Location: Marietta, Georgia
End Time: 2024-04-24T11:30:36.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Type: Painting
Year of Production: 1967
