Monaco | 1934

Monaco, 2 Avril 1934, 6ème Grand Prix Automobile, by Geo Ham

This striking Art Deco poster showcases the 1934 Monaco Grand Prix with dramatic flair and bold colours. The composition features a vibrant red racing car in the foreground, its white-helmeted driver leaning into the curve with determination. Behind it follows a blue racing car, both speeding along Monaco's famous coastal circuit. The setting is quintessentially Monaco, with the elegant architecture of Monte Carlo rising on the left side in warm yellows and whites, palm trees silhouetted against a teal-blue sky, and the Mediterranean Sea stretching to the horizon on the right. The striking typography displays "MONACO" in large white capital letters across the top of the teal background, with "2 AVRIL 1934" beneath it, while "6ème GRAND PRIX AUTOMOBILE" appears in bold dark lettering at the bottom of the poster. The artist's distinctive signature, "Geo Ham," is visible in the lower right corner.

The 1934 Monaco Grand Prix was a significant event in motorsport history, marking the first race under new international regulations that limited car weight to 750 kg. This sixth running of the prestigious race took place on 2 April 1934 on the challenging Circuit de Monaco street course. The event featured an unexpected dramatic conclusion when Louis Chiron, who had led for 98 of the 100 laps, crashed into sandbags at the railway station hairpin with just two laps remaining. This mistake allowed Algerian driver Guy Moll, a new recruit to Scuderia Ferrari, to inherit the lead and claim a surprising victory driving an Alfa Romeo Tipo B/P3. It was Moll's first major Grand Prix win, and a remarkable achievement for a driver who had only begun racing four years earlier. Tragically, Moll's promising career was cut short when he was killed in a racing accident later that same year at Pescara, Italy. Enzo Ferrari would later consider Moll one of the most talented drivers he had ever seen.

Georges Hamel (1900-1972), who signed his artwork as "Geo Ham," was a highly regarded French artist who specialised in automotive and aviation illustration. Born in Laval, France, Ham developed a passion for racing cars from a young age and later became a part-time race driver himself, competing in events such as the 1932 Monte Carlo Rally and the 1934 24 Hours of Le Mans. This hands-on racing experience gave exceptional authenticity to his artwork. After studying at the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs in Paris, Ham was appointed an Official "Peintre de l'Air" (Air Painter) in 1931, recognising his skill in aviation illustration. His distinctive artistic style featured dynamic compositions, vibrant colours, and recurring motifs like billowing scarves and palm trees. Ham created a series of iconic posters for the Monaco Grand Prix between 1933 and 1948, establishing himself as the definitive visual chronicler of this glamorous race during its golden era. His work regularly appeared in prestigious publications like L'Illustration and continues to be highly sought after by collectors of automotive art.